The San Juan County Sheriff, Shane Ferrari, has initiated an investigation into the New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence group for potentially violating state gun laws during a “gun buyback” program.
Ferrari claims the group may have purchased firearms illegally without background checks and failed to properly dispose of them according to federal guidelines.
He also expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of such buyback programs. (Trending: Obama Judge Issues Shock Ruling Against Democrats)
The group, which advocated for the law it’s accused of violating, argues that the law was not intended to mandate background checks for those seeking to destroy their own guns.
Ferrari is awaiting opinions from the District Attorney and the Attorney General on the program’s legality.
“Before it comes out in the media and gets twisted one way or another, I want to inform you that I am investigating San Juan County citizens’ complaints on ‘New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence’ gun buyback program not complying with New Mexico State Law 30-7-7.1 ‘Unlawful sale of a firearm without a background check,’” San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari wrote.
“Reviewing the law I do not see where they are exempt from having to undergo a background check and are required to like anyone else,” he said.
“A sale is taking place (gift cards $100 and up), it is advertised as a purchase and called a ‘buy back.’ I have reached out to ‘New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence’ with questions,” he added.
“They have referred me to Attorney General Torrez. Both the San Juan County District Attorney’s Office and the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office are reviewing my assessment.”
“I have been informed ‘New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence’ came to town this weekend and obtained firearms,” Ferrari said.
“I currently do not have details on how that event took place. I am also aware of photos shared by ‘New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence’ posting firearms that [may not] have been properly destroyed according to federal law and were obtained in San Juan County.”
“Most guns purchased are junk, but the numbers look good on paper,” he said. “I don’t like my tax dollars being used to buy someone’s unwanted property or junk. You could have it destroyed yourself if you really don’t want it. Tax payers shouldn’t pay for it.”
“Again, I’m awaiting the District Attorney and the Attorney General’s opinion on whether ‘New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violences’ [sic] gun buyback program is operating lawfully and if law enforcement participation is following proper disposition of abandoned/ unclaimed property,” Ferrari said. “I’ll let you know.”
“Ultimately, it would be up to the courts to review the specific facts and statutory language assuming there is a challenge to the law,” Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth said.
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