New Mexico Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

New Mexico is a shall-issue state.

Yes, without a license. Any person who is at least 19 years old and legally entitled to possess a firearm can open carry.

No. However, state law limits concealed carry license holders to carrying one concealed gun at any given time. However, any number of firearms can be openly carried.

[N.M. Admin. Code §10.8.2.16]

Yes. There is no statute prohibiting the purchase or use of pepper spray in New Mexico.

No. New Mexico does not have ammunition restrictions.

Yes, with a New Mexico Concealed Handgun License or a permit from a state that New Mexico honors.

Home and business owners may legally forbid firearms on their property and/or in their buildings with appropriately displayed signage stating such prohibition. The individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.

[N.M. Admin. Code 10.8.2.16]

Yes, (including motorcycles and bicycles) without a license for anyone 19 or older who is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm. However, if you don’t have a license, you may not have the weapon concealed on your person when you exit your vehicle.

[N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-7-3]

No. There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in New Mexico.

Yes. A licensee may not carry a concealed handgun on or about his person on private property that has signs posted prohibiting the carrying of concealed weapons or when verbally told so by a person lawfully in possession of the property.

[N.M. Admin. Code §​​​​​​​10.8.2.16]

New Mexico has a red flag law that took effect on May 20, 2020. It allows law enforcement officers to file a petition ordering the respondent to surrender all firearms which the respondent then controls, owns or possesses and further enjoins the respondent from purchasing, receiving or attempting to purchase, possess or receive any firearm while the order is in effect.

Yes, but only for members of the military stationed in NM and their dependents.

Not while consuming alcohol or while impaired by the use of alcohol, controlled substances, or over-the-counter or prescribed medications.

[N.M. Stat. Ann. §§ 30-7-4][N.M. Admin. Code 10.8.2.16B ]

As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

No. A permit is not required to purchase a handgun in New Mexico.

No.

The minimum age to possess and transport a handgun in New Mexico is 19 years old.

[N.M.Stat. Ann. § 30-7-2.2(C)(1)]

Yes, as of May 15, 2024.

30 days

New Mexico grants non-resident licenses only for members of the military permanently stationed in New Mexico and their dependents. Out-of-state permits can be transferred over to New Mexico licenses.

Moving to New Mexico and interested in applying for a resident license? How soon can you apply?New Mexico issues licenses to residents and members of the military permanently stationed in New Mexico and their dependents only. You can apply for your license once you establish your residence. In addition, out-of-state permits can be transferred over to New Mexico licenses.

Moving from New Mexico and have a New Mexico resident license? Does that license transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your New Mexico license remains valid?If a person with a New Mexico concealed handgun license establishes residency in another state, the license expires upon the establishment of residence in the other state.

Link to application (As of Jan. 9, 2023, the application can now be completed online.)

An applicant must:

• Be at least 21 years old;
• Be a citizen of the United States or a Permanent Resident Alien (although not reflected in state statutes, we have been informed by Permanent Resident Aliens that they were able to obtain their New Mexico Concealed Handgun License);
• Complete a firearms training course (military service person's discharged from military service within 20 years are exempt);
• Be a resident of New Mexico or a member of the armed forces whose permanent duty station is located in New Mexico;
• Not be a fugitive from justice;
• Not have been convicted of, or under indictment for, a felony;
• Not have been adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed to a mental institution;
• Not be addicted to alcohol or controlled substances;
• Satisfactorily complete a firearms training course;
• Not have:
  • Received a conditional discharge, a diversion or a deferment, or been convicted of, pled guilty to or entered a plea of nolo contendere to a misdemeanor offense involving a crime of violence within the 10-year period preceding application;
  • Been convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs within 5 years immediately preceding the application for a concealed handgun license;
  • Been convicted within the 10-year period preceding application of a misdemeanor offense involving the possession or abuse of a controlled substance; or
  • Been convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving assault, battery or battery against a household member; and
• Meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of New Mexico.

A CHL identifies the category and caliber of concealed handgun that may be carried by the licensee. If a licensee wishes to add another category (revolver/automatic) or additional higher calibers of handguns to his or her license, the licensee shall file with the department an application for a renewed license. The licensee shall also submit a certified copy of a certificate of completion from an approved instructor stating that the licensee has demonstrated competency on a firing range for each additional category and caliber of handgun, his current license, and a $5.00 processing fee. The licensee need not retake the classroom portion of the firearms training course. The department shall issue a renewed license within 10 days of receipt of the application. The renewed license shall expire on the same date as the original license would have expired.

• Public schools, colleges and universities (except in a private vehicle if older than 19) [N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-7-2.1(A) and N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-7-2.4(A)];
• Public school buses [N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-7-2.1(B)];
• Establishments licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages other than beer or wine [N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-7-3(A)];
• Anywhere while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including certain prescription or over-the-counter medications [N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-7-4(A)(2)];
• As of December 6, 2021,at the New Mexico state Capitol building (all deadly weapons-including various knives, brass knuckles and sharpened canes);
• Albuquerque City parks and recreation facilities [City of Albuquerque Park Ordinance § 10-1-1-7];
• Designated child-detention or correctional facilities [N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-22-14(B)];
• Correctional facilities, jails [N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-22-14];
• Any state, county, municipal or tribal court [N.M. Stat. Ann. § 29-19-11];
• State wildlife management areas/game refuges [N.M. Stat. Ann. § 17-2-12];
• Tribal land [N.M. Stat. Ann. § 29-19-10];
• Public buses [N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-7-13];
  
• Private property where the owner has posted signs indicating that you may not carry (or if the owner tells you that you cannot carry) [N.M. Code R. §§ 10.8.2.16(F)]; 
• Beginning May 15th, 2024, 100ft from any polling places, counting places, or drop boxes. This excludes those with concealed carry permits.
• Airport security zones [49 CFR §§ 1540.111 & 1540.5]; and
• Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law or state law or regulation.

There is no known statute in New Mexico making it illegal to wear a COVID mask while carrying concealed. Two state laws refer to individuals concealing their identity with the intention to commit illegal acts or with intent to intimidate, however they do not address wearing a mask while legally carrying a concealed firearm.

[§ 30-3-2 & § 30-22-3] 

Yes. It is legal for anyone to possess a handgun for self-defense during any bow, muzzleloader or rifle hunt in NM. Open carry is allowed for anyone at least 21 years old that is not prohibited from possessing a firearm. A concealed carry license is required for carrying concealed.

The handgun cannot be used in the harvest of any animal, even as a “coup de grace” unless a handgun is a legal weapon type for that hunt.

You may carry any legal knife openly on your own property or in your vehicle. It is illegal to own a switchblade, balisong or butterfly knife. It is illegal to concealed carry — outside of one’s residence or real property — deadly weapons such as dirks, poniards, daggers, bowie knives, switchblades, butterfly knives, butcher knives or any other knife which can cause dangerous wounds. Deadly weapons are not permitted on school grounds or public buses.

[NMSA §§ 30-1-12, 30-7-2, 30-7-2.1, 30-7-8 & 30-7-13]