Gun petitions

Over objections from all but a few New Mexico sheriffs, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a red flag protection measure as a way to stem gun violence. The Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order Act, which took effect in mid-May 2020, made New Mexico the 18th state to enact such a law.

As of Dec. 31, four petitions to temporarily remove firearms had been filed in state district courts. Three of those had been subsequently extended to one year, according to the New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts.

The petitions were filed in Eddy County, San Juan County, Santa Fe County and Taos County. A request for a one-year extension in the Taos County case was denied.