Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, the expiration date of currently issued concealed handgun licenses should be extended for 6 months, to September 16, 2020.
Citizens with a concealed carry license expiring in the next few months have no way to comply with the in-person training requirements of the Department without violating the social isolation dictates of the Governor, and the Department of Public Safety:
“Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the State of New Mexico and the Department of Public Safety offices are now locked to the public.”
https://www.dps.nm.gov/index.php/top-links-for-nm-residents/concealed-carry-licenses
The following statement from the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, Law Enforcement Records does not go nearly far enough to address these extenuating circumstances. It only allows for an extension on the renewal of an application but does not extend the expiration period of the license itself:
In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, as a precautionary measure the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, Law Enforcement Records Bureau, has authorized extending the grace period to renew a Concealed Carry Permit license after expiration
date, from 60 days to 120 days. This extension ONLY applies to licenses that expired on or after March 16, 2020, and only applies to the renewal of an application.
However, be reminded that: pursuant to NMAC 10.8.2.17(A)(1) … “If the license has expired, a licensee shall not carry a concealed handgun until he or she receives a renewed license.”
This extension for renewing expired licenses does not apply to licenses that expired before March 16, 2020; and those that would be suspended or revoked pursuant to the New Mexico Concealed Carry Handgun Act. Licenses that expired on or before March 15, 2020, are still covered by the 60-day period before and after the expiration date to renew the license, as provided by the Concealed Carry Handgun Act.
However, if required, management will review on a case-by-case basis.
Concealed carry licensees who, for no fault of theirs are not able to renew, should not be deprived of their ability to legally protect themselves, their loved ones and the general public.
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Thanks!
Jeremy Myers
By Jeremy Myers
Secretary
Libertarian Party
of New Mexico