A New Mexico Firearm Bill of Sale records the sale of a firearm between private parties in New Mexico.
Although it is not required by New Mexico law, parties should use it to record the transaction and reduce the risk of fraud.
New Mexico does not have a waiting period for firearm sales. Nor, does the state require a license to carry a firearm. But, having a bill of sale can prove useful in many scenarios, such as proving ownership in a criminal situation.
Firearm laws: New Mexico Statutes § 30-7-7.1, New Mexico Statutes § 30-7-16, NM Stat. § 30-7-2(5)
Restrictions: Yes
State permit to purchase: No
Registration of firearm: No
License to own: No
Assault weapon law: No
Magazine capacity restriction: No
Permit for concealed carry: Yes
Permit for open carry: No
How to Sell a Firearm Privately
Any person who can legally buy and own a firearm in New Mexico can also sell one privately.
Requirements
According to New Mexico Statutes § 30-7-7.1, you must run a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check on the buyer before selling a firearm to them.
Background checks are not required for sales between immediate family members or to law enforcement officers.
Restrictions
According to New Mexico Statutes § 30-7-16, the following people cannot purchase or own a firearm:
- Felons
- People subject to an order of protection pursuant to Section 40-13-5 or 40-13A-5 NMSA 1978
- People convicted of battery against a household member pursuant to Section 30-3-15 NMSA 1978, criminal damage to a household member’s property according to Section 30-3-18 NMSA 1978, a first offense of stalking per Section 30-3A-3, or federal firearm offenses
Firearm Inheritance Laws
New Mexico does not require firearm registration therefore you do not have to register a gun you inherited from a relative.
Registration
New Mexico does not require firearm owners to register firearms.
Additionally, you do not need to send a record of the firearm sale to the police in New Mexico.
Concealed Carry Permit
New Mexico allows firearm owners to open carry loaded rifles and handguns without permits.
The state also allows permitless concealed carry of unloaded firearms per NM Stat. § 30-7-2(5). However, the state requires a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) to carry concealed loaded firearms on foot.
According to New Mexico Statutes § 29-19-4, you can apply for a New Mexico CHL if you are at least 21 years old, a resident of New Mexico, and are legally allowed to own a firearm in New Mexico.
How to Apply
Follow these steps to get started:
Step 1 – Get Trained
Complete a New Mexico Department of Public Safety-approved firearms training course that includes live-fire instruction pursuant to NM Stat. § 29-19-7.
Step 2 – Submit Fingerprints
Consent to fingerprints with the fingerprint processing service, Gemalto Cogent.
Step 3 – Fill Out Application
Complete the two-page application and provide the required documents and fee.
Step 4 – Mail Application and Documentation
Mail the application and the supporting documents to:
NM Department of Public Safety
SID/Concealed Carry Unit
6301 Indian School Road NE, Suite 310
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Gun Reciprocity
Per New Mexico Statutes § 29-19-12, New Mexico only recognizes concealed carry permits from other states if they meet or exceed the provisions in New Mexico’s Concealed Handgun Carry Act.
Currently, New Mexico recognizes permits from the following states:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Idaho
- Kansas
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
The following states honor CHLs from New Mexico:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Idaho
- Kansas
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
New Mexico Firearm Bill of Sale Sample
Below is an example of a New Mexico firearm bill of sale.
