New Mexico enacts legislation to maintain weapons away from youngsters
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a invoice Friday that makes it a criminal offense to retailer firearms in locations that youngsters might entry.
The brand new legislation takes impact on June 16. Earlier this 12 months, a 6-year-old pupil in Virginia shot his instructor, which added to debates throughout the nation about gun management and faculty security.
The New Mexico invoice would make it a criminal offense to retailer a firearm in a means that negligently disregards the power of a kid or teenager beneath age 18 to entry it.
Legal prices may very well be introduced provided that the minor later brandishes or shows the firearm in a threatening means, or makes use of it to kill or injure somebody. The proposal would set up each misdemeanor and felony crimes, with penalties of as much as 18 months in jail.
Legal provisions don’t apply if a toddler accesses a gun with authorization of a mother or father or guardian for lawful functions together with searching and recreation. The legislation additionally consists of exceptions when a toddler accesses a gun for self-defense or to defend others.
Sponsors of the initiative hope it would cut back gun-related deaths and accidents amongst youths. New Mexico is among the many high 10 states for firearms deaths per capita.