46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE; CREATING A CRIMINAL OFFENSE THAT MAKES IT UNLAWFUL TO CARRY A FIREARM ON UNIVERSITY PREMISES; PROVIDING A PENALTY; ENACTING A NEW SECTION OF CHAPTER 30, ARTICLE 7 NMSA 1978.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. A new section of Chapter 30, Article 7 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF A FIREARM ON UNIVERSITY PREMISES.--

A. Unlawful carrying of a firearm on university premises consists of carrying a firearm on university premises except by:

(1) a peace officer;

(2) university security personnel;

(3) a student, instructor or other university-authorized personnel who are engaged in army, navy,

marine corps or air force reserve officer training corps programs or a state-authorized hunter safety training program;

(4) a person conducting or participating in a university-approved program, class or other activity involving the carrying of a firearm; or

(5) a person older than nineteen years of age on university premises in a private automobile or other private means of conveyance, for lawful protection of the person's or another's person or property.

B. As used in this section:

(1) "university" means the university of New Mexico, New Mexico state university, New Mexico highlands university, eastern New Mexico university, western New Mexico university and New Mexico institute of mining and technology; and

(2) "university premises" means:

(a) the buildings and grounds of a university, including playing fields and parking areas of a university, in or on which university or university-related activities are conducted; or

(b) any other public buildings or grounds, including playing fields and parking areas that are not university property, in or on which university-related and sanctioned activities are performed.

C. Whoever commits unlawful carrying of a firearm on university premises is guilty of a fourth degree felony."

Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2003.