HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL 52

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

AN ACT

RELATING TO POSSESSION OF FIREARMS; INCREASING THE PENALTY FOR A FELON IN POSSESSION OF A FIREARM OR DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE TO A THIRD DEGREE FELONY; PROVIDING EXCEPTIONS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. Section 30-7-16 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1981, Chapter 225, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read:

     "30-7-16. FIREARMS OR DESTRUCTIVE DEVICES--RECEIPT, TRANSPORTATION OR POSSESSION BY A FELON--PENALTY.--

          A. It is unlawful for a felon to receive, transport or possess any firearm or destructive device in this state.

          B. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a fourth degree felony and shall be sentenced in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Sentencing Act; provided that the violation of and the sentence imposed pursuant to this subsection shall be increased to a violation of and the sentence for a third degree felony if:

                (1) the person has previously been convicted of a serious violent offense as defined in Paragraph (4) of Subsection L of Section 33-2-34 NMSA 1978; or

                (2) the court makes a specific finding that the prior felony conviction was a violent felony offense and that justice will be served by imposing a sentence for a third degree felony and that there are substantial and compelling reasons, stated on the record, for departing from the sentence for a fourth degree felony.

          C. As used in this section:

                (1) except as provided in Paragraph (2) of this subsection, "destructive device" means:

                     (a) any explosive, incendiary or poison gas: 1) bomb; 2) grenade; 3) rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces; 4) missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-fourth ounce; 5) mine; or 6) similar device;

                     (b) any type of weapon by whatever name known that will, or that may be readily converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant, the barrel or barrels of which have a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter, except a shotgun or shotgun shell that is generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes; [and] or

                     (c) any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into a destructive device as defined in this paragraph and from which a destructive device may be readily assembled;

                (2) the term "destructive device" does not include any device that is neither designed nor redesigned for use as a weapon or any device, although originally designed for use as a weapon, that is redesigned for use as a signaling, pyrotechnic, line throwing, safety or similar device;

                [(2)] (3) "felon" means a person convicted of a felony offense by a court of the United States or of any state or political subdivision thereof and:

                     (a) less than ten years have passed since the person completed serving [his] a sentence or period of probation for the felony conviction, whichever is later;

                     (b) the person has not been pardoned for the felony conviction by the proper authority; and

                     (c) the person has not received a deferred sentence; and

                [(3)] (4) "firearm" means any weapon that will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosion; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; or any firearm muffler or firearm silencer. "Firearm" includes any handgun, rifle or shotgun."