New Mexico Wants Waiting Period For Gun Purchases – Court Said No

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a law into effect last year that required a 7 day waiting period on gun sales in New Mexico. A US Appeals Court just "shot" it down.

The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sent the law, which did exempt New Mexico concealed carry permit holders, back to a lower court to decide whether or not it violates the second amendment.

The Governor seems to feel that having to wait 7 days from deciding to buy a gun to actually getting it allows people time to "cool off" and change their minds about doing harm.

“New Mexico’s waiting period law was carefully crafted to minimize gun violence while respecting Second Amendment rights,” said Lujan Grisham, highlighting additional exceptions for gun purchases by law enforcement officers and transactions between immediate family members. “Waiting periods prevent impulsive acts of violence and suicide, giving people time to step back and reassess their emotions during moments of crisis.” - apnews

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I disagree. Simply put, people who are up to no good will find a way and when it comes to hard core criminals, they don't play by the rules anyway. As for mental issues, people don't develop them suddenly, nor will they suddenly go away in 7 days.

“Cooling-off periods do not fit into any historically grounded exceptions to the right to keep and bear arms, and burden conduct within the Second Amendment’s scope,” wrote Judge Timothy Tymkovich in the split 2-1 ruling.  - apnews

Bottom line is, the Court found the law unconstitutional and, for now, pulled it. The battle isn't over yet though and it remains to be seen what the final outcome will be.

The state of New Mexico also has a law allowing officials to take guns away from people who have been deemed a threat to themselves or others. A total of 21 states currently have such a law.