Yes, blank firing guns are legal in New Mexico but subject to state and local firearm regulations. State law treats them as firearms unless modified to fire projectiles, while municipal ordinances may impose additional restrictions. The Albuquerque Police Department’s 2025 firearms policy update clarified enforcement for blank-firing devices, requiring compliance with NMSA 30-7-2. Licensed dealers must verify purchaser eligibility under federal and state background check protocols.
Key Regulations for Blank Firing Guns in New Mexico
- State Firearm Classification: Blank firing guns are classified as “firearms” under NMSA 30-7-2 if capable of expelling a projectile, triggering dealer licensing and background check mandates. Devices modified to fire blanks without projectiles may avoid this classification but remain subject to municipal scrutiny.
- Local Ordinance Compliance: Albuquerque’s 2025 Firearms Ordinance (Ordinance 2025-12) requires blank-firing devices to comply with noise ordinances (≤85 decibels) and prohibits their use in public spaces without a special event permit. Santa Fe’s municipal code similarly restricts discharge within city limits.
- Dealer and Transfer Protocols: Licensed firearm dealers in New Mexico must record blank-firing gun transfers in the state’s unified firearms database, per NMSA 30-7-16. Private transfers between unlicensed individuals are prohibited unless conducted through a licensed dealer, per 2024 amendments to the Uniform Firearms Act.