SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - A compromise bill on background checks for gun purchasers is now advancing in the New Mexico Legislature after initially being stalled.
The bill approved by the House Judiciary Committee would require background checks for people buying guns at gun shows.
That deletes the bill's original requirement to also require background checks for people buying guns in private transactions apart from gun shows.
Currently, only people buying guns from licensed dealers must undergo background checks, regardless of the setting for those purchases.
The Santa New Mexican reports that the bill passed the initial committee with bipartisan support on a 13-3 vote Friday night.
The bill now must clear the House Appropriations and Finance Committee to reach the full House.
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