OPPONENTS OF NEW MEXICO’S NEW LAW EXPANDING BACKGROUND CHECKS ON GUN PURCHASES MAY HAVE TO TAKE THEIR CASE TO COURT. SECRETARY OF STATE MAGGIE TOULOUSE OLIVER HAS DETERMINED THAT A DRAFT PETITION OPPOSING THE NEW LAW DID NOT MEET NUMEROUS LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND SHE HAS REJECTED IT. THE DRAFT PETITION WAS SUBMITTED BY REPUBLICAN HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JAMES TOWNSEND.
IF THE PETITION EFFORT HAD BEEN SUCCESSFUL, SUPPORTERS WOULD HAVE HAD TO COLLECT AROUND 70-THOUSAND SIGNATURES TO PUT THE BACKGROUND CHECK LAW BEFORE THE VOTERS IN 2020.
