New Mexico Lawmakers Push for Stricter Laws on Guns, Burglary, and Drones

With two weeks left in the legislative session, only a few public safety bills are progressing

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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New Mexico lawmakers are working to pass several public safety bills, including proposals to redefine 'harm to self' and 'harm to others' for mental health treatment, update burglary laws, and regulate gun sellers and certain assault-style weapons. Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman is also pushing for a law to criminalize the use of drones for criminal activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and targeting law enforcement.

Why it matters

These legislative efforts aim to address growing public safety concerns in New Mexico, including the use of drones by criminal organizations near the U.S.-Mexico border. Passing these bills could help law enforcement better respond to emerging threats and protect communities across the state.

The details

The proposal to redefine 'harm to self' and 'harm to others' is one House floor vote away from completion and is seen as critical to treating people who could be a danger to themselves or others. A bill updating burglary laws has cleared the Senate floor, while another regulating gun sellers and banning certain assault-style weapons is nearing the halfway point. Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman has raised concerns about the use of drones for criminal activities, such as dropping drugs, human trafficking, and targeting law enforcement, and is pushing for Senate Bill 136 to criminalize certain drone uses in New Mexico.

  • The legislative session in New Mexico has two weeks left.
  • The proposal to redefine 'harm to self' and 'harm to others' is one House floor vote away from completion.
  • The bill updating burglary laws cleared the Senate floor on Wednesday.

The players

Michelle Lujan Grisham

The Governor of New Mexico who says the issue of redefining 'harm to self' and 'harm to others' is critical to treating people who could be a danger to themselves or others.

Javier Martinez

A Democratic state representative in New Mexico who said the proposal to redefine 'harm to self' and 'harm to others' should be on the House floor in the next couple of days.

Sam Bregman

The Bernalillo County District Attorney who has raised concerns about the use of drones for criminal activities and is pushing for Senate Bill 136 to criminalize certain drone uses in New Mexico.

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What they’re saying

“We should have that on the floor here in the next couple of days.”

— Javier Martinez, State Representative (kob.com)

“We don't have a law on the books right now that addresses drones.”

— Sam Bregman, Bernalillo County District Attorney (kob.com)

“this is really one of those urgent things that we need to get done.”

— Sam Bregman, Bernalillo County District Attorney (kob.com)

What’s next

The proposal to redefine 'harm to self' and 'harm to others' is expected to come up for a House floor vote in the next couple of days. Senate Bill 136, which aims to criminalize certain drone uses, is also progressing through the legislative process.

The takeaway

New Mexico lawmakers are working to pass several public safety bills in the final two weeks of the legislative session, addressing issues like mental health treatment, burglary laws, gun regulations, and the use of drones for criminal activities. These efforts reflect the state's ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and respond to emerging threats.