New Mexico county sheriff investigates whether gun buyback program violated law

A New Mexico county sheriff's office is investigating whether a Santa Fe gun violence prevention group violated state firearm law through its gun buyback program. 

San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari said on Facebook last week that he was investigating complaints filed by citizens against the group, New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, for allegedly not complying with state law through its gun buyback program. 

Firearms cannot be sold in New Mexico without a background check, per state law, and Ferrari said he did not see where the gun violence prevention organization would be exempt from needing to undergo a background check, as they are buying firearms with gift cards of $100 and up. 

One day before the sheriff's announcement, the organization had posted on X, formerly Twitter, pictures of firearms it said it collected from residents even after the city of Farmington, New Mexico, canceled its buyback event. 

"Pictured are unwanted firearms from one household in Farmington, NM.  Our gun buyback was cancelled by the City, but local residents asked us to show up anyway. So, we spent today dismantling guns house by house," the group wrote. 

After Ferrari said he was investigating the gun violence prevention group, the organization defended itself online. 

The group insisted that it does not need to conduct background checks as there is no transfer of firearms, since the guns are being destroyed onsite. 

Ferrari said Friday that he is waiting to hear more information from the New Mexico attorney general, San Juan County district attorney and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives about the legality of the program.

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