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I need to know open-carry handgun law in New Mexico

johnnybob

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Apr 12, 2009
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, ,
Hello.......... I need information from someone on the open carry handgun laws in New Mexico, having just moved here.

My undersanding is that I can not purchase a NEW handgun from a dealer without a background FBI check, but that I CAN carry a handgun on my hip in the desert if I am hiking, IF I ALREADY OWN THE GUN. To clarify, in the state of New Mexico, I DO NOT need a permit to carry a gun on my hip when I am hiking in the desert to protect myself and my dog from rattlers. Also, if you could tell me where to find that information so I can copy it and carry with me, I would sure appreciate it. I read the New Mexico hand gun laws, but it deals mainly with concealed handguns, and doesn't directly deal with open carry, as far as I could read it...................

Thanks so much to whoever can help me.

John Williams in Las Cruces, New Mexico
 
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Decoligny

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Nov 29, 2007
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Rosamond, California, USA
imported post

If there isn't a law that makes it illegal, then by default it IS LEGAL.

Laws exist to prohibit certain actions. They do not exist to "allow" anything.
 

arentol

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Apr 10, 2009
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imported post

VAopencarry wrote:
...you must be legally eligible to possess a firearm.
This is the key point. If the FBI check is going to keep you from buying a firearm then there is a good chance you can't legally carry in New Mexico anyway, no matter what you are doing.

I would check the New Mexico forum as previously linked and just ask the question there. The people on that forum are going to be MUCH more familiar with the relevant laws than the general OC.org public.
 

inichols1

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May 16, 2012
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new mexico
John
In the state of new mexico if your not legally able to buy you can not carry no if ands or butts. that being said new mexico has an open carry law where you CAN CARRY ANYWHERE it doesnt have to be just in the desert if you havnt noticed thats the whole state. but no you can carry anywhere without a CCW its your legal right in new mexico
 

JoeSparky

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Jun 20, 2008
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Pleasant Grove, Utah, USA
John
In the state of new mexico if your not legally able to buy you can not carry no if ands or butts. that being said new mexico has an open carry law where you CAN CARRY ANYWHERE it doesnt have to be just in the desert if you havnt noticed thats the whole state. but no you can carry anywhere without a CCW its your legal right in new mexico

True as far as it goes, but will land you in legal problems. Signs prohibiting have weight of law. No carry of any kind in a bar or location where anything stronger than beer or wine is sold for consumption on premises. Must be concealed anywhere beer or wine is sold... Means places like Walmart, target, or gas stations that sell alcohol. To legally conceal you must have a permit that NM recognizes. Must be at least 19 years old to carry. And if concealing only allowed to conceal one firearm.
 
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warywolfen

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May 20, 2012
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Location
Socorro, NM
NM Open Carry

rule #19 in quout

Open carry is allowed without a permit, except in certain places, like where alcohol is sold, or schools. If you buy a gun here, from an FFL holder, the federal law applies, with its "instant" background check. That applies to ALL guns, new or used, handgun or long-gun. NM has no state laws regarding purchase, other than the usual prohibitions against felons, etc. If you buy a gun from an individual (non-FFL holder), who is a resident of this state, the federal law does not apply (unless it's a Title II weapon). The NMSU library has a law section where you can obtain all this info.
 
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warywolfen

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May 20, 2012
Messages
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Location
Socorro, NM
Open carry is allowed without a permit, except in certain places, like where alcohol is sold, or schools. If you buy a gun here, from an FFL holder, the federal law applies, with its "instant" background check. That applies to ALL guns, new or used, handgun or long-gun. NM has no state laws regarding purchase, other than the usual prohibitions against felons, etc. If you buy a gun from an individual (non-FFL holder), who is a resident of this state, the federal law does not apply (unless it's a Title II weapon). The NMSU library has a law section where you can obtain all this info.

Additional comment...when I moved here (1992), NM had no concealed-carry law, and I know open carry wasn't allowed where liquor was sold. A few years ago, the CCP law was enacted. And a while back, there was a bill introduced to allow CCP holders to carry in places where alcohol was sold, but not consumed. I think it passed. But I think it only applies to CCP holders, not open carry.
 

warywolfen

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Joined
May 20, 2012
Messages
6
Location
Socorro, NM
Yet another additional comment

Additional comment...when I moved here (1992), NM had no concealed-carry law, and I know open carry wasn't allowed where liquor was sold. A few years ago, the CCP law was enacted. And a while back, there was a bill introduced to allow CCP holders to carry in places where alcohol was sold, but not consumed. I think it passed. But I think it only applies to CCP holders, not open carry.

I almost forgot. One of the best ways of getting info regarding gun laws is to ask a gun dealer. They deal with the issue every day, and most of them are into guns as an avid hobby. And don't place too much reliability on what a police officer says. Regrettably, many of them are woefully uninformed on the subject.
 

kcgunfan

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Feb 22, 2011
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KC
Police are the worst resource on firearms law gun store employees are second.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
 

ManInBlack

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2006
Messages
1,551
Location
SW Idaho
Police are the worst resource on firearms law gun store employees are second.

+1

3rd, concealed carry instructors; although I suspect a lot of their bad information might not be pure ignorance, but at least partially driven by economic considerations...
 

T.Reed

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2017
Messages
13
Location
Ruidoso, New Mexico
Hello.......... I need information from someone on the open carry handgun laws in New Mexico, having just moved here.

My undersanding is that I can not purchase a NEW handgun from a dealer without a background FBI check, but that I CAN carry a handgun on my hip in the desert if I am hiking, IF I ALREADY OWN THE GUN. To clarify, in the state of New Mexico, I DO NOT need a permit to carry a gun on my hip when I am hiking in the desert to protect myself and my dog from rattlers. Also, if you could tell me where to find that information so I can copy it and carry with me, I would sure appreciate it. I read the New Mexico hand gun laws, but it deals mainly with concealed handguns, and doesn't directly deal with open carry, as far as I could read it...................

Thanks so much to whoever can help me.


John Williams in Las Cruces, New Mexico

Contact Jaime Chavez he is a Fire Arms Instructor in Las Cruces and the best in New Mexico including giving instruction to Susanna Martinez. He knows the laws very well.
 
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wabbit

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2011
Messages
153
Location
briar patch, NM
Contact Jaime Chavez he is a Fire Arms Instructor in Las Cruces and the best in New Mexico including giving instruction to Susanna Martinez. He knows the laws very well.

tom, if you are tom, why are you replying and giving advice to an 8 year olde thread?

W
 
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