Moderate
New Mexico Gun Laws 2026
New Mexico gun law rating: C+ (Moderate). Ranked #21 out of 50 states for gun law strength. Key policies: permitless carry (No), red flag law (Yes), assault weapons ban (No).
C+
Overall Grade
#21
State Rank (strength)
Permitless Carry: No
Constitutional Carry
Red Flag: Yes
ERPO Law
Key Gun Law Provisions
| Provision | Status |
|---|---|
| Permitless (Constitutional) Carry | No |
| Red Flag Law (ERPO) | Yes |
| Assault Weapons Ban | No |
| Universal Background Checks (private sales) | Yes |
| Waiting Period | None |
| Magazine Capacity Limit | None |
Overview
New Mexico passed universal background checks and a red flag law. Albuquerque\'s gun violence led the governor to declare a public health emergency in 2023.
2026 Political Impact
New Mexico\'s Democratic governor declared gun violence a public health emergency in 2023 after high crime rates in Albuquerque. The state is blue but gun culture is strong in rural areas.