Federal Judge Blocks New Mexico's 7-Day Waiting Period Statewide
A federal judge issued a permanent injunction against New Mexico's 7-day firearm transfer waiting period, effectively halting enforcement of the statute. The National Rifle Association secured the ruling after filing a federal lawsuit challenging the law's constitutionality. The order applies broadly and prevents state authorities from enforcing the waiting period against all parties, not just the named plaintiffs.
Key Details
- The injunction is permanent, not preliminary—the judge found the law likely violates Second Amendment rights under current constitutional standards.
- New Mexico's 7-day waiting period applied to all firearm transfers, including sales and transfers between private parties.
- The NRA declared the ruling a complete victory in its legal challenge to the statute.
- The order's scope prevents enforcement statewide, meaning the law cannot be applied to any firearm purchaser or transferee.
Why It Matters for Gun Owners
New Mexico residents can now complete lawful firearm transfers and purchases without the 7-day delay—a direct removal of a waiting period that affected every gun owner in the state. The ruling eliminates compliance friction for legal buyers and restores faster access to lawfully purchased firearms. Gun owners who delayed purchases under the old rule can now proceed immediately after background checks clear. For competitive shooters, hunters, and those seeking self-defense firearms, the removal of an arbitrary 7-day window removes a significant regulatory burden. The decision also signals vulnerability in waiting period laws nationally, particularly under New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen analysis, which requires historical grounding for firearm regulations.
DownRange Analysis
This injunction reflects the post-Bruen reality: waiting periods without solid historical precedent don't survive judicial scrutiny. New Mexico's 7-day rule lacked the deep common-law foundation required by the Supreme Court's 2022 standard, and the federal judge correctly recognized that. The NRA's complete victory—a permanent injunction rather than a temporary block—suggests the judge found the constitutional violation substantial and unambiguous. Gun owners in other states with waiting periods should watch this precedent closely. California's 10-day waiting period and similar rules in Illinois, Washington, and other states face the same constitutional vulnerability. Expect similar challenges to succeed in federal court if state attorneys general don't shift strategy toward historical justifications.
