JUVENILE RECORD IN FIREARM BACKGROUND CHECKS

HB 39 modifies New Mexico's firearm possession laws by prohibiting adults with certain juvenile firearm offenses from receiving, transporting, or possessing firearms. It directly affects adults aged 18+ who had a juvenile court disposition involving firearm use that would be a felony if committed as an adult, provided less than 10 years have passed since the disposition and no pardon was granted. The bill adds this category to existing prohibitions under Section 30-7-16 NMSA, expanding background checks to include these juvenile records. This change ensures such individuals remain barred from firearm access even if their juvenile record was later sealed under Section 32A-2-26.