New Mexico Lawmakers Debate Tougher Penalties for Felons with Firearms and Juvenile Crime

Lawmakers in Santa Fe face a tight deadline to address public safety reforms with only a month left in the legislative session.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 8:55pm

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Lawmakers in Santa Fe, New Mexico are debating several bills aimed at increasing penalties for felons caught with firearms and addressing juvenile crime. One bill would make it a second-degree felony for a felon to possess a firearm on the first offense and a first-degree felony on the second offense. Another bill targets adults with gun crimes on their juvenile record within the past 10 years, making it illegal for them to possess guns and charging them with a third-degree felony if caught. Juvenile crime is expected to be a major focus this legislative session.

Why it matters

New Mexico has struggled with high rates of violent crime, and lawmakers are under pressure to address public safety concerns. These bills are part of a broader effort to crack down on gun violence and repeat offenders. The debate highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing criminal justice reform with public safety priorities.

The details

The bills being considered include one that would increase punishments for felons caught with firearms, making it a second-degree felony on the first offense and a first-degree felony on the second. Another bill would target adults with gun crimes on their juvenile record within the past 10 years, making it illegal for them to possess guns and charging them with a third-degree felony if caught. This bill would also require courts to report juvenile gun crimes to the FBI's background check system.

  • The House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee was supposed to review the juvenile crime bill on January 28, 2026, but it has been pushed to another day.
  • The legislative session in New Mexico has only about a month left.

The players

Michelle Lujan Grisham

The governor of New Mexico who has prioritized public safety reforms.

John Allen

The Bernalillo County Sheriff who supports increased punishments for felons caught with firearms.

Andrea Reeb

A state representative who believes the law needs to better support law enforcement officers.

Javier Martinez

The Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives who says the legislature is working on CYFD (Children, Youth and Families Department) reforms as part of the solution.

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What they’re saying

“We're trying to send a message if you are already a felon, you know you're not supposed to have a firearm. We are trying to find some way to make sure that you're not revictimizing our community.”

— John Allen, Bernalillo County Sheriff

“It's actually making the statute fit, you know, and we need, we need to be supporting our law enforcement officers.”

— Andrea Reeb, State Representative

“We passed a bill out of the house last year. House Bill 255, which was a bill that was timing up some of the conditions of release for young people.”

— Javier Martinez, Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives

What’s next

The House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee is expected to review the juvenile crime bill on a future date, though the specific date is not yet determined. Lawmakers are hopeful that progress will continue on these public safety reforms before the legislative session ends.

The takeaway

New Mexico's lawmakers are facing a tight deadline to address pressing public safety concerns, including tougher penalties for felons with firearms and measures to address juvenile crime. The debate highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing criminal justice reform with public safety priorities in the state.