Why Walmart Will Stop Selling Guns in New Mexico

A small sign taped to a gun case at big-box retailer Walmart in central Santa Fe says the store -- and all Walmarts across New Mexico -- will stop selling firearms later this month after a new state law took effect requiring background checks on sales of nearly all firearms. While Walmart and other gun sellers already were required to conduct federal background checks on buyers for their own firearms sales, Senate Bill 8, which took effect Monday, requires checks on most private sales, even between close friends. The law allows exceptions for sales between family members -- including great-grandchildren and first cousins -- and for antique guns. Under the law, gun sellers holding federal firearms licenses can offer to conduct background checks for sales between private individuals. The licensees can charge up to $35 per check. But Walmart is choosing to dodge the option altogether. Walmart spokeswoman Tiffany Wilson said in an email Wednesday that as a general merchandiser and grocer, the retail giant was "not currently designed to conduct background checks for private-party firearms transfers under New Mexico's new law."...MORE