AN ACT

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE; CREATING A CRIMINAL OFFENSE THAT MAKES IT UNLAWFUL TO CARRY A FIREARM ON UNIVERSITY PREMISES; PROVIDING A PENALTY; ENACTING A NEW SECTION OF CHAPTER 30, ARTICLE 7 NMSA 1978.



BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: Section 1. A new section of Chapter 30, Article 7 NMSA

1978 is enacted to read:

"UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF A FIREARM ON UNIVERSITY

PREMISES--NOTICE--PENALTY.--

A. Unlawful carrying of a firearm on university premises consists of carrying a firearm on university premises except by:

(1) a peace officer;

(2) university security personnel;

(3) a student, instructor or other university-authorized personnel who are engaged in army, navy, marine corps or air force reserve officer training corps programs or a state-authorized hunter safety training program; (4) a person conducting or participating in a university-approved program, class or other activity involving the carrying of a firearm; or

(5) a person older than nineteen years of age on university premises in a private automobile or other private means of conveyance, for lawful protection of the person's or another's person or property.

B. A university shall conspicuously post notices on university premises that state that it is unlawful to carry a firearm on university premises.

C. As used in this section:

(1) "university" means a baccalaureate degree-granting post-secondary educational institution, a community college, a branch community college,

a technical-vocational institute and an area vocational school; and

(2) "university premises" means:

(a) the buildings and grounds of a university, including playing fields and parking areas of a university, in or on which university or university-related activities are conducted; or

(b) any other public buildings or grounds, including playing fields and parking areas that are not university property, in or on which university-related and sanctioned activities are performed.

D. Whoever commits unlawful carrying of a firearm on university premises is guilty of a petty misdemeanor."

Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2003.