NEW MEXICO
FIREARMS
INDUSTRY
ASSOCIATION
Firearms Businesses & Organizations Joining Together to Keep Our FREEDOMS & Right to Bear Arms
1.5K
NM Potential Members
10
Volunteers
14
Legislative Bills being lobbied in 2023
12
Anti-Gun Bills defeated in 2023
NMFIA Mission.
To all Gun Store Owners and FFL Dealers ~
To PROTECT, PRESERVE and PROMOTE the firearms industry in New Mexico.
By Tom Kaye
During the 2023 New Mexico legislative session, the firearms industry came perilously close to losing our right to sell firearms, accessories, and ammunition along with our constitutional rights protected by the Second Amendment.
A small group of firearms retailers, concerned citizens, the NM Shooting Sports Association, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), and the American Suppressor Association, coordinated by the NRA state director, lobbied legislators and testified at committee meetings during the 2023 legislative session. We quickly discovered that most legislators did not understand what effect proposed bills would have, how bills would affect the firearms industry, what function the items being restricted serve, what regulations were already in place, or any unintended consequences of bills. From the receptions we received it quickly became apparent that there is a very large need to inform and educate legislators about the firearms industry and current laws. Many legislators didn’t care about Second Amendment rights, often referring to restrictions and bans “for the greater good”. Additionally, we discovered that a large portion of everyday New Mexicans had no idea that this was occurring.
After seeing how the 2023 state legislature wanted to destroy the firearms industry and personal firearm ownership in NM, the New Mexico Firearms Industry Association (NMFIA) was formed in March 2023. The NMFIA’s goals are to protect, preserve and promote the firearms industry in NM. We are non-partisan and aligned with the principles of the NSSF, which is the national trade association for the firearms industry. The NSSF leads the way in advocating for the industry, jobs, and keeping guns out of the wrong hands while encouraging the enjoyment of recreational shooting and hunting. They help people better understand the industry’s lawful products. We intend to exemplify the same values and principles for the state of NM.
We are separate from the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association, as they focus on individuals and Shooting Organizations, we are focused on the Fire Arms industry. Our efforts will parallel the NMSSA in many areas, and we look forward to working with them.
The bills that were introduced but failed to pass would eliminate sales or transfer of all NFA items, almost all semi-automatic rifles, attachments for so-called assault weapons, hollow point ammunition, and magazines holding more than ten rounds; raise the age to purchase a long gun to 21, implement a 14 day waiting period when purchasing a firearm and prohibit firearms within 100 feet of a polling place when voting is occurring. Additionally, assault weapons, attachments, and magazines holding more than ten rounds would have to be registered with the state. Violations of most of these bills would be a 4th-degree felony.
Another failed bill, SB 428, would subject the firearms industry to a penalty of $250,000 for an unfair trade practice, while any other industry (except the marijuana industry, they were exempted) would be subject to a penalty of only $10,000. Currently, that penalty is $300 for all industries. The definition of an unfair trade practice is very vague in the bill. The firearms industry is the only industry that a person could sue by simply knowing an alleged violation, even though that person wasn’t harmed. If a suit is brought against a firearms business and the plaintiff wins, the defendant will have to pay the plaintiff’s legal fees. If the defendant wins, the plaintiff is not liable for the defendant’s legal fees. This bill came very close to passing. It passed the full Senate and was on the House floor waiting for a vote when the session expired. The same legislator that sponsored the medical malpractice bill, which is chasing physicians out of NM, sponsored this bill. This would only be good for trial attorneys and bad for all NM businesses, except those in the marijuana industry.
On April 5, 2023, the governor announced she intends to pass an assault weapons ban in the 2024 legislative session. Most recently, she has also called to raise the age to purchase a long gun to 21 and mandate a 14-day waiting period when purchasing a firearm.
While we are still in our infancy, we need to quickly grow and prepare for the 2024 legislative session. We have elected officers, filed a charter with the NM secretary of state, and filed a 501(c) (6) non-profit application with the IRS. A website (newmexicofia.org) is being built that will have public and members-only sections and allow for paying dues online. Annual minimum dues have been set at $1000 for businesses with over $1,000,000 in annual revenue, $500 for companies with less than $1,000,000 annual sales, and $100 for a non-voting associate member. A business can join at a membership level above the minimum.
This will be a fierce battle but we strongly believe that the values of the firearms industry and New Mexicans are not currently represented in our legislature. If the industry is to survive in NM, we must be well organized and have coordinated representation in Santa Fe. We need members from the entire state to take an active role in lobbying their legislators, and educating their customer base so they can take action and be prepared to commit time and resources at legislative sessions. We do have the support of several legislators, but we still need more.
By joining the NMFIA your business will be part of the effort to keep the industry alive in NM, protect thousands of jobs, educate customers and policymakers about the industry and existing laws, encourage growth in the industry, promote safe and responsible use of firearms and allow NM citizens to exercise their second amendment right
OBJECTIVES.
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Advocate for the firearms industry, its business and jobs.
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Educate the public and lawmakers about initiatives regarding the firearms industry.
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Provide updates to members concerning ongoing legislation.
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Encourage members to keep their customer base informed regarding issues related to the firearms industry.
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Share best practices to ensure the industry remains compliant with all laws and to keep guns out of the wrong hands.
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Encourage enjoyment of recreational shooting and hunting; help people better understand the industry’s lawful products.
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Partner with other firearms groups (NRA, NSSF, ASA, NMSSA, etc) to ensure a robust and safe firearms industry in NM.
BOARD
Board of Directors:
Erik Rasmussen President
Jake Melidones Vice President
Dennis Burt Treasurer
Tom Kaye Secretary
Jim Gifford Director
Walter Bracken Director
Vacant Director
MEMBERS
Retail Members:
Erik Rasmussen-Right to Bear Arms
Dennis Burt- Calibers
Jacob Melidones-Omni Arms
Walter Bracken-BMC Tactical
Rick Kennedy-SW Gunsmith Technologies
Dianne Johnson-Ron Peterson Firearms, LLC
Shawn Blas -Integrity Firearms
Arnie Gallegos-ABQ Guns
Bill Keeler-Richardson’s Trading Post
Anthony Segura-NM Shooting Sports Association
In Remembrance of David Loeffler-Loeffler’s Guns
Members at Large:
Victor Wuamett
Gregory Cook
Dale Osmun
Jon Word
Christopher Frost
Hal Barnett
James Washburn
Tom Crow
Dale Josephson
Legislation Letter
BILL RECAP
Previous Years
IN THE NEWS
SENATE BILL 17
NEW MEXICO FIREARMS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
To PROTECT, PRESERVE and PROMOTE the firearms industry in New Mexico
Oppose Senate Bill 17 (SB17)
The NEW MEXICO FIREARMS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
is alerting customers and supporters to the Unconstitutional Senate Bill 17 (SB17) — one of the most sweeping gun control bills introduced in New Mexico in recent years.
SB17 has been scheduled for its 2nd committee hearingin the
Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 1:30 PM. Room 321.
We need to stop this bill now!
❌ What SB17 Does
SB17, titled the “Stop Illegal Gun Trade and Extremely Dangerous Weapons Act,” would:
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Ban the sale and transfer of commonly owned gas-operated semi-automatic firearms
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Ban standard-capacity magazines holding more than 10 rounds
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Classify these lawful firearms and magazines as “extremely dangerous weapons”
Impose extensive new regulations on New Mexico gun stores, including:
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Create a Statewide Gun Registry with your Gun information that the State has access too.
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Costly security mandates
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Expanded reporting and record-keeping requirements
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Mandatory training and age requirements for dealer employees
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Increased inspections and civil penalties
These provisions target law-abiding gun owners and small businesses, not criminals.
They want to put Gun Stores out of Business!
⚠️ Why NMFIA Opposes SB17
SB17 does nothing to address violent crime or criminal misuse of firearms. Instead, it:
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Restricts constitutionally protected firearms commonly owned by New Mexicans
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Places crushing regulatory burdens on local, family-owned gun stores
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Diverts resources away from enforcing existing laws against violent offenders
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Punishes responsible citizens while criminals continue to ignore the law
Public safety is achieved through enforcement, accountability, and education — not blanket bans and overregulation.
📣 TAKE ACTION NOW
We need your voice.
✔️ Contact members of the Senate Judiciary Committee
✔️ Submit public comment opposing SB17
✔️ Attend or watch the hearing on Monday, February 2nd at 1:30 PM
(Room 321)
✔️ Share this alert with friends and family
Your engagement matters. Bills like SB17 advance quickly when citizens stay silent.
Email or Call
The Senate Judiciary Committee
and tell them to oppose SB17
Senate Judiciary Committee Members
Senator Joseph Cervantes - Email: joseph.cervantes@nmlegis.gov
Office Phone: 505-986-4861
Senator Antonio Maestas - Email: antonio.maestas@nmlegis.gov
Office Phone: 505-986-4373
Senator Crystal Brantley - Email: crystal.brantley@nmlegis.gov
Office Phone: 505-986-4369
Senator Pat Boone - Email: pat.boone@nmlegis.gov
Office Phone: 505-986-4393
Senator Katy Duhigg - Email: katy.duhigg@nmlegis.gov
Office Phone: 505-986-4270
Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez - Email: a.sedillolopez@nmlegis.gov
Office Phone: 505-986-4389
Senator Mimi Stewart - Email: mimi.stewart@nmlegis.gov
Office Phone: 505-986-473
Senator James G. Townsend - Email: townsend@pvtn.net
Office Phone: 505-986-4366
Senator Peter Wirth - Email: peter.wirth@nmlegis.gov
Office Phone: 505-986-4727
🧠 Stay Engaged
The New Mexico Firearms Industry Association will continue to monitor SB17 closely and keep members informed as this bill moves through the legislative process.
Together, we can protect the rights of law-abiding
New Mexicans
Also contact your own State Senator and tell them that you Oppose SB17
DON’T KNOW YOUR LEGISLATOR
USE THE BUTTON BELOW
Representative Joanne J. Ferrary - (D)
505-986-4844 joanne.ferrary@nmlegis.gov
Representative Angelica Rubio - (D)
505-986-4210 angelica.rubio@nmlegis.gov
Representative Stefani Lord - (R)
505-986-4453 info@lord2020.com
Representative John Block - (R)
505-986-4453 John.Block@nmlegis.gov
Representative Andrea Romero - (D)
505-986-4243 andrea@andrearomero.com
Representative Elizabeth "Liz" Thomson - (D)
505-986-4425 liz.thomson@nmlegis.gov
If you are concerned about this anti-2nd Amendment laws that harm your rights as a citizen you may find numbers below that will help you get your voice heard!
ALBUQUERQUE
400 Gold Avenue SW, Ste. 1080
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: (505) 346-6601
Fax: (505) 346-6780
SANTA FE
Phone: (505) 988-6647
Fax: (505) 992-8435
FARMINGTON
7450 East Main Street, Ste. A
Farmington, NM 87402
Phone: (505) 325-5030
Fax: (505) 325-6035
LAS CRUCES
201 North Church St., Ste. 305
Las Cruces, NM, 88001
Phone: (575) 523-6561
Fax: (575) 523-6584
ROSWELL
200 East 4th Street, Ste. 300
Roswell, NM 88201
Phone: (575) 622-7113
Fax: (575) 622-3538
WASHINGTON D.C.
709 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5521
Fax: (202) 228-2841
ON THE AIR
The GOVERNMENT that STOLE YOUR GUNS
While many New Mexicans prepare to spend the holiday season with their loved ones, and many gather to watch "The Grinch That Stole Christmas", Governor Lujan Grisham and other anti-gun lawmakers are writing their own story, "The Government that Stole Your Guns".
Last week, Governor Lujan Grisham announced her support to pass a state-version of U.S. Senator Heinrich's unconstitutional GOSAFE gun and magazine ban during the upcoming 30-day legislative session. Adding to the anti-gun push, the joint interim Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee endorsed a 14-day waiting period on all firearm purchases and a ban on carrying firearms within 100 feet of any polling place or ballot drop box. These endorsements give momentum to unconstitutional anti-gun proposals, however clicking below to contact your lawmakers will make clear that we will not stand for such infringements of our Second Amendment Rights!
Rather than addressing the serious surge of violent crime across New Mexico, which is a direct consequence of Governor Lujan Grisham's soft on crime policies, they want to create spectacle of your constitutionally given rights. However, your NRA-ILA New Mexico team continues to be hard at work preparing the upcoming 30-day legislative session and will be on the ground at the Roundhouse. Prefiling for the session begins on January 2nd and the Legislature will convene on January 16.
However, your grassroots engagement and willingness to join in the fight, will be crucial as we all continue to Defend the Second Amendment in New Mexico. So here is what YOU can do:
1. Register for our New Mexico Statewide Webinar on January 15 at 7:00 p.m. MST HERE!
Join your NRA-ILA New Mexico Team to discuss the 30-day legislative session and what anti-gun legislation we expect to fight in the Roundhouse. Also, learn how you can join our Frontlines and participate in various programs such as becoming a Frontlines Activist Leader.
2. Forward this alert to FIVE people!
Our biggest resource as pro-Second Amendment citizens is the diverse and passionate community that we call our own. Pass this message on to your friends, family and coworkers, encouraging them to join our Frontlines and stay engaged!
With any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out by emailing me at clay@nrailafrontlines.com or call (703) 943-6566. We must continue to fight on the Frontlines leading up to 2024, and we hope you can join us on our NRA-ILA New Mexico Webinar on January 15 for a very important virtual meeting!