New Mexico governor seeks tougher penalties for felons with firearms

The New Mexico Governor is pushing for harsher penalties in the upcoming special legislative session.

With the special session just two weeks away, safety is top of mind for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Lujan Grisham's office looks to increase jail time for convicted felons who are caught with a firearm, which was proposed to the Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee on June 26.

"We are failing to both prevent and provide the community safety," Benjamin Baker, the senior public safety advisor for Gov. Lujan Grisham said.

Baker said data for felons in possession of a firearm show that numbers have gone back to pre-pandemic levels.

"We are on pace to be higher than any of the previous seven years," Baker said.

The governor's office is proposing a raise in the sentence for felons found guilty of being in possession of a firearm, making it a second-degree felony and raising the penalty to a minimum of nine years.

While Baker admitted many studies have pointed out that harsher sentencing does not deter criminals, he said there is another reason why this change should be made.

"I believe there are multiple facets in the criminal justice system. Deterrence is not the only one. The community's safety due to incarceration and separation from the community so that one cannot re-offend are an important point that I would like to raise to the committee," Baker said.

In a press release, Gov. Lujan Grisham addressed gun violence and alluded to July's special session.

"I implore lawmakers to enhance the criminal penalties for felons who continue to possess guns in our state. New Mexicans are demanding accountability on this front, and we intend to deliver it." - Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

One man in Las Cruces told KFOX14, he would be in favor of the change.

"Maybe teach them the lesson they're supposed to be learning while incarcerated. So, I think raising the jail time would be a good idea," Carlos Salazar said.

A special legislative session is set to begin July 18.