New Mexico finds itself at the center of the national debate over gun control this week, as legal battles and community initiatives highlight the state’s complex relationship with firearms. On August 21, 2025, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a law requiring a seven-day waiting period for gun purchases, a measure signed into effect last year by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. At the same time, Albuquerque is preparing for a community-focused gun buyback event, offering residents a chance to surrender unwanted firearms in exchange for cash and tickets to local sporting events.
Governor Lujan Grisham’s waiting period law aimed to address a persistent problem: impulsive acts of violence and suicide. The measure, as described by the Governor and reported by AP News, was “carefully crafted to minimize gun violence while respecting Second Amendment rights.” Notably, the law included exemptions for concealed carry permit holders, law enforcement officers, and transactions between immediate family members. “Waiting periods prevent impulsive acts of violence and suicide, giving people time to step back and reassess their emotions during moments of crisis,” Lujan Grisham stated, underscoring the law’s intent to save lives without unduly burdening law-abiding gun owners.
But the law quickly became a flashpoint in the ongoing national conversation about the Second Amendment. In a split 2-1 decision, Judge Timothy Tymkovich of the 10th Circuit wrote, “Cooling-off periods do not fit into any historically grounded exceptions to the right to keep and bear arms, and burden conduct within the Second Amendment’s scope.” The ruling effectively paused the enforcement of the waiting period, sending the issue back to a lower court to determine if the law ultimately violates the Constitution.
The court’s decision has left New Mexico in a state of limbo. For now, the seven-day waiting period is off the books, but legal experts and advocates on both sides agree that the battle is far from over. The state’s approach to gun regulation includes more than just the waiting period; New Mexico is one of 21 states with a law allowing officials to confiscate guns from people deemed threats to themselves or others. This so-called “red flag” law reflects a broader trend across the country, where states are experimenting with various policies to address gun violence while navigating the constraints of the Second Amendment.
While the courts debate the constitutionality of waiting periods, Albuquerque is taking a different tack to curb gun violence—one rooted in community engagement and voluntary action. On Saturday, August 23, 2025, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) will host a gun buyback event from 9 a.m. to noon at the APD University Substation, just west of Isotopes Park. The event, organized in partnership with New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, offers residents the opportunity to anonymously surrender unwanted firearms, no questions asked.
Participants in the buyback will receive cash and tickets to local sporting events, including Isotopes baseball games, New Mexico United soccer matches, and Lobo football games. According to organizers, the initiative is designed to provide a “meaningful way for the community to contribute to public safety while supporting local youth and the arts.” The event has a creative twist: all surrendered firearms will be dismantled on-site and repurposed into gardening tools, musical instruments, or artwork by local students. This transformation of weapons into tools and art is intended to send a powerful message about the potential for positive change and community healing.
Officials stress that the event is strictly for traditional firearms—no 3D-printed guns will be accepted. Participants are asked to ensure that all guns are unloaded and safely transported to the site. This emphasis on safety and anonymity seeks to remove barriers for those who might otherwise hesitate to participate, whether due to legal concerns or simple uncertainty about what to do with an unwanted firearm.
The last buyback event in Albuquerque saw 215 firearms collected, with 40% of them categorized as semi-automatic weapons. That statistic alone speaks volumes about the types of guns circulating in the community—and the potential impact of such initiatives on reducing the number of firearms that might otherwise end up in the wrong hands. Organizers hope this weekend’s event will build on that success, further reducing the risk of gun-related accidents, thefts, or crimes.
The juxtaposition of these two stories—the legal fight over waiting periods and the grassroots effort to buy back guns—captures the complexity of New Mexico’s approach to gun violence. On one hand, state leaders are pushing for laws they believe will save lives, only to face resistance from the courts. On the other, local officials and activists are working to engage the community directly, offering practical solutions that sidestep the political and legal gridlock often associated with gun control.
Debate over gun regulation in New Mexico is far from monolithic. Some residents, echoing sentiments reported by TownSquare Media, argue that waiting periods and similar laws do little to deter “hard core criminals,” who are unlikely to follow the rules regardless. They point out that mental health crises rarely develop overnight and question whether a seven-day pause would have any real impact. Others, however, see value in giving people time to reconsider potentially life-altering decisions, especially in moments of crisis.
Meanwhile, New Mexico’s red flag law remains in effect, allowing authorities to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others. This measure, now adopted in 21 states, reflects a growing consensus that targeted interventions can prevent tragedies without infringing on the rights of responsible gun owners. Still, the debate remains contentious, with critics warning of potential abuses and due process concerns.
As the legal battle over the waiting period continues, all eyes are on the lower courts to see whether New Mexico’s law will ultimately stand or fall. In the meantime, Albuquerque’s gun buyback event provides a reminder that, whatever one’s stance on gun rights, there are ways for communities to come together in pursuit of safety and healing. The event’s focus on transforming surrendered guns into tools and art serves as a poignant symbol of hope—a belief that even the most divisive issues can be addressed through creativity, cooperation, and a shared commitment to the common good.
For New Mexico, the coming weeks will be telling. The outcome of the court case could set a precedent for other states considering similar waiting periods, while the success of the buyback event may inspire more communities to take matters into their own hands. At a time when the national conversation about guns often feels stuck in a stalemate, New Mexico’s blend of legal action and community engagement offers a glimpse of both the challenges and possibilities that lie ahead.
In a state where the debate over firearms is as heated as anywhere in the country, these recent events show just how much is at stake—and how many different paths there are toward a safer future.
