Summary#
HM-65, Health & Firearm Safety Task Force, is a New Mexico House memorial, not a bill that changes state law. It asks the Department of Health to work with the Department of Public Safety to convene a task force; its stated goal is to recommend ways to reduce firearm violence in New Mexico. The memorial’s status is listed as “Action Postponed Indefinitely.”
- The requested task force would review firearm licensing; policies on semiautomatic firearms and large-capacity magazines; data on whether any group should be barred by law from owning or buying firearms, especially people with prior driving-while-intoxicated convictions; and how state and federal laws align on felons possessing firearms.
- It would also consider tobacco and firearm licensing before new retail licenses for gun or liquor stores, and toxicology in people who commit gun violence.
- The task force would include representatives from the named state departments, health care entities and hospitals, education bodies, courts, community and prevention groups, police and public safety agencies, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and New Mexico Indian nations, tribes and pueblos.
- The task force is requested to report its findings and conclusions by September 15, 2026, to its representatives and two legislative committees.
What it means for you#
- People who own, buy, or sell firearms: The memorial would not change who may own or buy a firearm, create a new license, or impose new rules on sellers. It asks for research and recommendations.
- State agencies and named groups: The Department of Health is asked to convene the task force with the Department of Public Safety. The listed groups and agencies are named as task-force representatives, but the memorial does not set out how members would be chosen or require any particular policy recommendation.
- General public: The memorial itself would not create a new public service or change firearm laws. Any later policy changes would require separate action.
Money#
No cost information is in the available material.
- The memorial gives no funding amount or staffing estimate for the task force.
- It does not state whether participating agencies or groups would receive payment or reimbursement.
What is unclear#
- The memorial does not explain how task-force members would be selected, how often they would meet, or how they would make recommendations.
- It does not set out research methods, public input, or how the task force would involve Indian nations, tribes and pueblos.
- The wording about tobacco and firearm licensing before new retail licenses for gun or liquor stores is unclear about which licenses or stores it means.
- It does not specify whether the task force would receive staff, funding, or access to particular data.
- It does not say what would happen if the task force misses the requested report date.
Case for#
- A possible argument for the memorial is that it asks for research across several issues connected in its text to firearm harm, rather than immediately changing firearm laws.
- The proposed membership brings public health, public safety, education, courts, health care, community groups, and tribal representatives into the requested review.
- A report to legislative committees could give lawmakers recommendations to consider; the memorial does not guarantee they will adopt them.
Case against#
- One concern is that the memorial requests a task force and recommendations but does not require new policies or explain what action would follow the report.
- It names many areas for review but gives no research plan, member-selection process, or details on how differing views would be handled.
- It is unclear whether the agencies and groups could carry out the requested work by the deadline without added staff or funding.