March 4 (UPI) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a handful of public safety measures on Monday that strengthen restrictions on gun ownership and penalties for violent crimes.
The Democratic governor signed the four bills during a press conference at Albuquerque’s West Mesa High School, where in October two students were found in possession of firearms.
“This legislation strikes at the heart of issues that are keeping New Mexicans up at night,” Grisham said in a statement.
“We are losing far too many lives when guns get into the wrong hands and violent criminals are allowed to recommit again and again. This legislation addresses both.”
Among the legislation signed was Senate Bill 5, which prohibits carrying firearms within 100 feet of polling and ballot dropoff locations, with exceptions in place for those with concealed-carry permits.
With the passing of the law, New Mexico joins 11 other states as well as Washington, D.C., which have bans on guns in polling stations, according to the Movement Advancement Project.
“Guns and voting are a toxic mix,” New Mexico Senate majority leader Peter Wirth, a Democrat, said in a statement. “As elections have become known targets for threats and intimidation, it’s important we are enacting this legislation ahead of the upcoming election cycle.”
Grisham also signed House Bill 129 into law that doubles the current state waiting period to purchase a weapon to seven days, which also includes exemptions for concealed-carry permit holders and those with a Federal Fire Arms License, as well as law enforcement.
The two violent crime-related bills Grisham signed Monday were S.B. 96, which strengthens penalties for 2nd-degree murder-related offices, and S.N. 271, which mandates judges to hold certain violent defendants without bond if they are accused of having committed another felony while out on bond for a previous violent offense.
“It’s time we treat crime like the serious problem it is in New Mexico,” Grisham said published on X, along with a picture of herself during the Monday news conference.
“That’s why today I signed four bills that will help make our state safer.”
In September, following the shooting death of an 11-year-old boy at a baseball game, Grisham declared gun violence a public health emergency in an effort to reduce violence and have local officials request emergency state funding to tackle the problem.
She also initiated the Bernalillo County Violence Crime Reduction Operation for that area, which, as of Jan. 31, has resulted in more than 4,800 arrests and the seizure of nearly 350 firearms.
According to statistics from the governor’s office, New Mexico’s firearm-related death rate has climbed 87% from 2011 to 2021.
Many families across the country are feeling hopeless as federal employees continue to work without pay during what is now the longest government shutdown ever.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Many families across the country are feeling hopeless as federal employees continue to work without pay during what is now the longest government shutdown ever.
A New Mexico man, Jason Richards, reached out to KOB 4 sharing his frustration with Congress. Richards has a unique experience with shutdowns, going through several during his 21 year career as a Chief of Interpretation for the National Park Service.
For Richards, seeing the Petroglyph National Monument gates locked brought some tears to his eyes.
“It makes me emotional. It does. It’s sad, but it’s Congress’s fault. It’s not the American people’s fault. It’s Congress. Both sides are guilty,” said Richards.
Richards told us while some trails remain open, he’s worried for the safety of visitors and the public lands themselves as park rangers are not able to work full-time due to the shutdown.
“That’s my land out there. That’s your land out there. That’s our cameraman’s land out there,” Richards said. “It doesn’t belong to Congress. It belongs to the American people. Tear the gate down.”
The pain is personal as Richards’ daughter followed in his footsteps and now works for the National Park Service on the East Coast. She hasn’t seen a paycheck since before the shutdown.
“She’s calling me and crying, saying, ‘Daddy, I don’t know what to do. I can’t pay my mortgage. I’m having hard time with getting food on the table.’ And her husband works for the government also.”
KOB 4 also spoke to his daughter, Amberleigh Leitenberger, on the phone Wednesday afternoon. She told us, “I’m extremely passionate about the Park Service and the Park Service mission and being second generation is really important to me. But, it’s very difficult to have to go through this repeatedly.”
When we asked Richards if there is any hope left for him and his daughter, he said, “No, there isn’t.”
Richards says he only asks now for Congress to listen to the American people and do what is best for them, not their agendas.
Santa Fe mayor: City Councilor Michael Garcia has been declared the winner after the tabulation of the ranked choice votes. He led in the first round with 36% of voters, while Oscar Rodriguez trailed with 23%, Ron Trujillo with 14%, County Commissioner Justin Greene with 10%, JoAnne Vigil Coppler with 8%, Tarin Nix with 6%, Letitia Montoya with 3% and Jeanne O’Dean with 1%. The candidates were vying to succeed Mayor Alan Webber, who is not seeking reelection.
Santa Fe City Council District 1: Pat Feghali, who has been declared the winner after the tabulation of the second-round ranked choice votes, led with 40% in the first round, while Katherine Rivera and David Montoya trailed with 30% each. The candidates were vying to succeed Councilor Signe Lindell, who is not running for reelection.
The New Mexico Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Nov. 3, 2025, results for each game:
03-32-40-43-57, Powerball: 18, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Day: 5-0-1
Evening: 4-2-7
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
07-11-19-25-50, Star Ball: 10, ASB: 03
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Evening: 1-2-6-1
Day: 8-0-5-3
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
01-03-13-16-20
Check Roadrunner Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
11-27-55-62-68, Powerball: 02
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Las Cruces Sun-News editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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