44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

RELATING TO FIREARMS; REQUIRING LICENSED FIREARMS DEALERS TO POST A NOTICE REGARDING FAILURE TO SAFEGUARD A FIREARM; REQUIRING LICENSED FIREARMS DEALERS TO PROVIDE A PERSON WHO BUYS A FIREARM WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE A SAFETY LOCK OR LOCKED CONTAINER.

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

Section 1. FIREARMS DEALER--REQUIRED SIGN ON BUSINESS

PREMISES.--A federally licensed dealer of firearms shall prominently display in a conspicuous place on his business premises the following sign, to be printed in letters not less than one inch in height:

"KNOWINGLY OR NEGLIGENTLY FAILING TO SAFEGUARD A FIREARM THAT ENDANGERS THE LIFE OR HEALTH OF A CHILD COULD BE A VIOLATION OF NEW MEXICO LAW (SECTION 30-6-1 NMSA 1978)".

Section 2. FIREARMS DEALER--SAFETY LOCK OR LOCKED CONTAINER--INFORMATION REGARDING SAFE STORAGE OF A FIREARM.--

A. A federally licensed firearms dealer shall provide a person who buys a firearm with the opportunity to purchase a safety lock or a locked container for the firearm. A person who buys a firearm shall sign and return to the firearms dealer a written form that acknowledges that the firearms dealer provided the buyer with the opportunity to purchase a safety lock or locked container for the firearm. The department of public safety, after consultation with the department of health, shall adopt rules regarding the written form.

B. A federally licensed firearms dealer shall provide a person who buys a firearm with a written form that advises the person of safe storage practices for firearms. The department of public safety, after consultation with the department of health, shall adopt rules regarding the written form.

Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 1999.