Governor Signs Law Expanding Background Checks For Virtually All Firearms Sales

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signs legislation Friday requiring background checks for virtually all firearm sales, seated next to Sen. Richard Martinez, D-Española, left, and Rep. Debra Sariñana, D-Albuquerque, at the Capitol. Photo by Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican   Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Jenn Jevertson, prevention coordinator for the Santa Fe Public Schools Office of Student Wellness, pose for a selfie Friday with students gathered in the Capitol Rotunda for presentations on gun violence. Shortly after this event, Lujan Grisham signed legislation requiring background checks for virtually all firearm sales in New Mexico. Photo by Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican   By ANDREW OXFORD Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed legislation Friday requiring background checks for virtually all firearm sales in New Mexico.   The bill has been a priority for gun control advocates, who argue the measure merely closes a loophole in state law and will help keep weapons out of the hands of people barred from owning firearms.   But gun rights groups have argued the law will do little to prevent crime. Instead, critics contend it infringes on Second Amendment rights. Republicans have announced they will circulate petitions to put a proposal for repealing the law to a statewide vote.   Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, dismissed the criticism Friday.   "It's clear to me that the NRA isn't going to stop trying to meddle in making this a safer state," she told reporters, referring to the National Rifle Association, which opposes the bill.   And as for the argument that the bill limits constitutional rights, the governor countered: "We all have a constitutional right to be safe in our homes and our communities."   While those holding federal firearm licenses -- including people who own gun stores -- by law must conduct background checks whenever they sell a

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