New Mexico Gun Laws & Firearms Safety Practice Exam

Are background checks required for private gun sales in New Mexico?

1. Yes, for all gun sales

2. No

3. Yes, but only for handguns

4. Yes, but exceptions exist for family transfers

The correct answer is: Yes, but exceptions exist for family transfers

In New Mexico, background checks for private gun sales are indeed generally required, but there are exceptions, particularly for family transfers. This means that if you are transferring a firearm to a close family member, such as a parent, sibling, child, or spouse, you do not need to perform a background check. The goal of this legislation is to ensure public safety while also recognizing the importance of familial relationships. While it’s true that background checks are warranted in most private sales to prevent firearms from getting into the hands of individuals prohibited from owning them, the specific exception for family transfers allows for flexibility and acknowledgement of personal circumstances in these types of transactions.