A New Mexico sheriff introduced an investigation into an anti-gun group for probably shopping for weapons illegally throughout a so-called “gun buyback” program
San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari introduced the investigation into the New Mexicans to Stop Gun Violence group about two weeks in the past on what seemed to be a former marketing campaign web page for his candidacy for the sheriff’s workplace, “Shane Ferrari for Sheriff.”
Ferrari, who made headlines earlier this yr after he shot a dog throughout a site visitors cease, posted the announcement on Dec. 17.
“Earlier than it comes out within the media and will get twisted a method or one other, I wish to inform you that I’m investigating San Juan County residents’ complaints on ‘New Mexicans to Stop Gun Violence’ gun buyback program not complying with New Mexico State Legislation 30-7-7.1 ‘Illegal sale of a firearm with out a background test,’” he wrote.
“Reviewing the legislation I don’t see the place they’re exempt from having to bear a background test and are required to love anybody else,” he defined. “A sale is happening (present playing cards $100 and up), it’s marketed as a purchase order and known as a ‘purchase again.’”
Ferrari defined that the legislation allowed for so-called “buyback programs” run by legislation enforcement companies, however New Mexicans to Stop Gun Violence didn’t look like affiliated or working with any such companies.
After an preliminary assessment, Ferrari concluded that it appeared the group had violated state gun laws and had maybe not destroyed the weapons in accordance with federal steerage, both.
“I’ve reached out to ‘New Mexicans to Stop Gun Violence’ with questions,” he wrote. “They’ve referred me to Legal professional Normal Torrez. Each the San Juan County District Legal professional’s Workplace and the New Mexico Legal professional Normal’s Workplace are reviewing my evaluation.”
The Metropolis of Farmington had apparently had an analogous occasion deliberate, however cancelled it after residents questioned its legality, he wrote.
“I’ve been knowledgeable ‘New Mexicans to Stop Gun Violence’ got here to city this weekend and obtained firearms,” Ferrari wrote. “I presently would not have particulars on how that occasion came about. I’m additionally conscious of pictures shared by ‘New Mexicans to Stop Gun Violence’ posting firearms that [may not] have been correctly destroyed in keeping with federal legislation and have been obtained in San Juan County.”
He additionally famous that he didn’t imagine that “buyback” applications diminished crime.
“Most weapons bought are junk, however the numbers look good on paper,” he wrote. “I don’t like my tax {dollars} getting used to purchase somebody’s undesirable property or junk. You would have it destroyed your self when you actually don’t need it. Tax payers [sic] shouldn’t pay for it.”
“Once more, I’m awaiting the District Legal professional and the Legal professional Normal’s opinion on whether or not ‘New Mexicans to Stop Gun Violences’ [sic] gun buyback program is working lawfully and if legislation enforcement participation is following correct disposition of deserted/ unclaimed property,” Ferrari reiterated. “I’ll let you already know.”
Nonetheless, nothing additional has appeared on the web page relating to the investigation since Dec. 17.
Based on the Santa Fe New Mexican, New Mexicans to Stop Gun Violence helped push for the legislation that it now stands accused of violating.
Senate Majority Chief Peter Wirth, nevertheless, instructed the New Mexican that the legislation’s intent was “by no means to require background checks when somebody seeks to destroy their very own gun,” the outlet reported.
“In the end, it might be as much as the courts to assessment the precise details and statutory language assuming there’s a problem to the legislation,” Wirth stated in a press release cited by the New Mexican.
This text appeared initially on The Western Journal.