April 5, 2001

SENATE EXECUTIVE MESSAGE NO. 50

The Honorable Richard Romero and

Members of the Senate

Executive-Legislative Building

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503

Honorable President and Members of the Senate:

I have this day VETOED and am returning SENATE BILL 285, enacted by the Forty-Fifth Legislature, First Session, 2001.

This bill provides legal protection to sport shooting ranges when persons purchase nearby property knowing that the range exists. I view this bill as an anti-property rights legislation. I have always sought to protect individual property rights. I cannot, however, provide virtually limitless protection to certain property owners at the expense of other property owners. I am concerned that the effect of this bill would be to provide permanent status to gun ranges, forcing cities to create draconian regulations to prevent the creation of any new ranges, lest allow such property use to go permanently unchallenged. I would much prefer a law that provides protection to shooting ranges and takes into account the property rights of all of New Mexicans.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor

RECEIVED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR:

Time: _____________________ By:_____________________________

Secretary of State

Date ______________________

Time:______________________

Date_______________________ By:_____________________________

Chief Clerk of the Senate sem50sb285v