Introduction
Over 545,000 New Mexico residents experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Fortunately, many victims survive these traumatic events; however, New Mexico reported 242 intimate partner violence related homicides from 2008 to 2017, 55% of whom died by firearms. An abuser’s access to firearms can determine a victim’s chances of survival; domestic violence firearm prohibitions and removal laws save lives.
New Mexico prohibits purchase or possession of firearms by persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence or persons subject to final domestic violence orders of protection. New Mexico requires removal of firearms from persons subject to final domestic violence orders of protection if the court determines ““that the restrained party presents a credible threat to the physical safety of the household member after the restrained party has received notice and had an opportunity to be heard or by stipulation of the parties.”
