AMGOA Staff
Pennsylvania


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House Republicans joined a majority of New Mexico's sheriffs to begin the process of overturning a spate of gun control legislation recently passed by the Democratic-controlled Legislature Thursday.

House Minority Leader Rep. Jim Townsend (R-Artesia) sent a letter to the Secretary of State requesting the petitions for Senate Bill 8.

House Republicans announced they would begin the formal process to annul Senate Bill 8.

Under the New Mexico Constitution, the people have the power to 'disapprove, suspend and annul' laws enacted by the Legislature.

The process begins with a petition of New Mexico voters and requires several different actions depending on the number of signatures. The number of required signatures is based on the voters who cast a ballot in the 2018 General Election.

If 10 percent of voters sign the petition, the law is placed on the ballot for approval or rejection of all voters.

If 25 percent of the voters sign the petition within 90 days after adjournment of the session, the law is immediately suspended and it is placed on the ballot for approval or rejection of all voters.

"The response to this bill and others like it all around New Mexico is unprecedented, and we need to listen to the people," said House Republican Leader Rep. Jim Townsend (R-Artesia). "What is happening in Santa Fe does not reflect what an overwhelming number of New Mexicans want, so we're going to make sure they are heard."

https://www.lamonitor.com/content/house-republicans-seek-overturn-gun-control-laws