underscored material = new [bracketed material] = delete 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 HOUSE BILL 248 57 TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION , 2025 INTRODUCED BY Randall T. Pettigrew and Joseph L. Sanchez and Art De La Cruz AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL LAW; CREATING THE CRIME OF UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF A FIREARM WHILE TRAFFICKING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE; PROVIDING PENALTIES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. A new section of Chapter 30, Article 7 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read: "[NEW MATERIAL] UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF A FIREARM WHILE TRAFFICKING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--Unlawful carrying of a firearm while trafficking a controlled substance consists of carrying a firearm while violating the provisions of Section 30-31-20 NMSA 1978. Whoever commits unlawful carrying of a firearm while trafficking a controlled substance is guilty of a third degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978. As used in this .229006.1 underscored material = new [bracketed material] = delete 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 section, "firearm" means any weapon that will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosion or the frame or receiver of any such weapon." SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2025. - 2 - .229006.1