STATE News:

SANTA FE — The Republican members of the legislature’s interim Courts, Corrections, & Justice (CCJ) Committee are seeking the inclusion of three key topics in its annual work plan. 

The key topics are:

• Juvenile Justice reform — to address the increased incidence of younger offenders and the increase (in frequency and severity) of violent juvenile offenses
• Pre-Trial Detention — to consider mechanisms which will ensure that violent offenders, especially repeat offenders, are not released back into our communities
• Increasing penalties for misuse of firearms — to enhance accountability for felons in possession of firearms, as well as for those who steal and traffic stolen firearms

“New Mexicans continue to demand reforms which hold violent juveniles accountable and which end the release of repeat offenders,” observed Sen. Crystal Brantley, the Ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee. “It’s especially upsetting when violent criminals are back on the street before their victims are even out of the hospital.”

Furthermore, Democrat lawmakers, armed with talking points from anti-gun advocates, have been pushing gun proposals which infringe on the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners, including those who possess firearms to defend their families, homes, and businesses.

Republicans have fought the Democrats’ admittedly unconstitutional proposals, but would gladly support efforts to increase accountability on those who use guns to commit crimes.  

“We need laws targeting criminals—including those who steal firearms and traffic in stolen firearms,” Sen. Brantley said, “not laws which criminalize law-abiding New Mexicans, leaving the ‘good guys’ unable to defend themselves from the true criminals among us.”  

The CCJ interim work plan is scheduled to be finalized at its organizational meeting next month, and Senate Republicans will continue to push for public safety topics to take priority in the plan.