1. THE NRA WAS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE NMSA’S DECLARATION NRA-funded lobbyists were in constant contact with NMSA President Tony Mace leading up to and following the passage of New Mexico laws to expand gun background checks and to expand prohibitory domestic violence crimes in the state. The NRA was also granted time to debrief the sheriffs on “anti-gun bills,” and sheriffs throughout the state were frequently given NRA talking points and information that they then passed off as their own.
2. A LACK OF RESPECT FOR THE RULE OF LAW Beyond the NRA’s direct influence, the NMSA sheriffs showed a clear hostility to various branches of government in New Mexico. Several sheriffs showed contempt towards domestic violence laws, dismissing the links between domestic violence and firearms.
3. AN ECHO CHAMBER OF CONSPIRACY AND EXTREMISM Within the NMSA, a pattern of right-wing conspiracies frequently emerged. Some sheriffs stated that passing gun violence prevention bills would be “selling out the rights of your constituents to a New York Billionaire.” Other emails focused on theories that Democrats and gun violence prevention advocates are “gun-grabbing socialists.” Further public record requests have been filed in Nevada, and additional efforts are currently under consideration.