Submitted by Karen Watson, Edgewood
Last week, an altercation in Las Cruces ended in a mass shooting. As so many do in far too many communities across our country.
As a gun safety advocate, I have learned that many people think our state is exempt from this crisis. But it’s not.
Living in a rural area like we do, guns are an accepted part of the lifestyle, and we know that they can be safely handled and secured in most households. But technological advances have produced semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines that are too deadly for ordinary civilian use. A recent poll in New Mexico showed that over 68% of the respondents recognize this and support banning assault weapons in our state.
As weapons become deadlier, mass shootings will only become more common and more deadly. Last session, lawmakers considered Senate Bill 279, the GOSAFE (Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion). The bill would have prohibited the sale and manufacture of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
Assault weapons of this type are the first choice of shooters who seek to hurt multiple people at once, as we see frequently in public places, churches, celebrations, and our children’s schools. Until we can solve the root problems of the recurring violence in our communities, it seems only common sense to restrict access to our most deadly weapons.
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