You must meet the following qualifiers in order to be eligible to take the conceal carry course:
1. Is a citizen of the United States;
2. Is a resident of New Mexico or
3. A member of the armed forces whose permanent duty station is located in New Mexico or is a dependent of such a member;
4. Is twenty-one years of age or older;
5. Is not a fugitive from justice;
6. Has not been convicted of a felony in New Mexico or any other state or pursuant to the laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction;
7. Is not currently under indictment for a felony criminal offense in New Mexico or any other state or pursuant to the laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction;
8. Is not otherwise prohibited by federal law or the law of any other jurisdiction from purchasing or possessing a firearm;
9. Has not been adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed to a mental institution;
10. Is not addicted to alcohol or controlled substances; and
11. Has satisfactorily completed a firearms training course approved by the department for the Category and the Largest Caliber of handgun that the applicant wants to be licensed to carry as a concealed handgun.
(These facts will be noted on the certificate of completion you’ll receive for successfully completing this course).
The Department will deny any application of any applicant who has:
1. Received a conditional discharge, a diversion or a deferment or has been convicted of, pled guilty to, or has entered a plea of “nolo contendere” (accepting a conviction as though a guilty plea had been entered but does not admit guilt) to a misdemeanor offense involving a crime of violence within ten years immediately preceding the application;
2. Been convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs within five years immediately preceding the application for a concealed handgun license;
3. Been convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving the possession or abuse of a controlled substance within ten years immediately preceding the application; or
4. Been convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving assault, battery or battery against a household member.
**Conviction Definition: a formal declaration hat someone is guilty of a criminal offense, made by the verdict of a jury OR the decision of a judge in a court of law. Includes: • Guilty Plea • No contest • Nolo Contendere • Conditional plea of guilty Or any other plea that would result in an adjudication of guild in any court of competent jurisdiction. A conviction includes a deferred sentence and a conditional discharge prior to satisfaction of the conditions and after satisfaction of conditions where required by the act.