Secretary of state rejects referendum for seven-day firearm waiting period

Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver has denied a referendum petition submitted by state Sen. Craig Brandt (R-Rio Rancho) and state Sen. Pat Woods (R-Broadview) for House Bill 129 which imposes a mandatory seven-day waiting period when purchasing a firearm.

“Once again, the secretary of state has denied New Mexico voters the opportunity to determine whether a highly controversial measure should remain state law,” Brandt said. “The drafters of our state Constitution created the referendum so the people can keep their government accountable. It’s a shame that this process is being repeatedly and unilaterally stifled.”

The legislation was signed into law by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and goes into effect May 15.

“House Bill 129 squarely meets the judicial criteria for ‘laws providing for the preservation of the public peace, health or safety.’ The law is a reasonable exercise of the state’s inherent police powers and is exempt from referendum under Article IV Section 1," Toulouse Oliver said.