This page collects the official agencies, statutes, and outside organizations you may need when applying for, renewing, or carrying under a New Mexico...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
This page collects the official agencies, statutes, and outside organizations you may need when applying for, renewing, or carrying under a New Mexico concealed handgun license (CHL). New Mexico requires a state-issued license to carry a concealed loaded firearm. Carrying a concealed loaded firearm without a license, or another lawful exception, is a petty misdemeanor under NMSA 1978 Section 30-7-2. A valid CHL issued by the Department of Public Safety is one of the exceptions listed in that statute. Use the resources below to confirm current requirements directly with the issuing agency.
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the agency that issues the concealed handgun license, approves firearms training courses, and administers reciprocal agreements with other states. The Concealed Handgun Carry Act directs the department to issue or deny a license within 30 days of a completed application and a national background check (NMSA 1978 Section 29-19-6), to publish minimum standards for approved training courses (NMSA 1978 Section 29-19-7), and to adopt rules and enter reciprocal agreements (NMSA 1978 Section 29-19-12).
Confirm the current application fee, renewal fee, and license term with DPS before you apply. By statute the application fee may not exceed $100 (NMSA 1978 Section 29-19-5), the renewal fee is $75 (NMSA 1978 Section 29-19-6), and an original or renewed license is valid for four years from the date of issuance (NMSA 1978 Section 29-19-3).
Publisher of the official New Mexico Statutes Annotated (NMSA 1978), including the Concealed Handgun Carry Act (Chapter 29, Article 19) and the weapons statutes (Chapter 30, Article 7).
Issues advisory opinions on firearms law, prosecutes certain offenses, and provides consumer-protection information.
Source for current bills, session laws, and committee reports on firearms legislation.
Court rules, court facility security policies, and uniform jury instructions, including the self-defense instructions. Note that a concealed handgun license is not valid in a courthouse or court facility unless the presiding judicial officer authorizes it (NMSA 1978 Section 29-19-11).
Federal agency administering the Gun Control Act, the National Firearms Act, and federal explosives laws.
Under the National Firearms Act, the making or transfer tax was changed by Public Law 119-21. For calendar quarters beginning more than 90 days after July 4, 2025, the first being the quarter that starts January 1, 2026, the making and transfer tax is $200 for a machinegun or a destructive device and $0 for other NFA items. Confirm current tax treatment with ATF before filing.
Operates the National Instant Criminal Background Check System used for federal background checks on firearm transfers.
Regulates how firearms and ammunition are transported in checked baggage on commercial flights. Carrying a firearm into an airport secured area or onto an aircraft is a federal crime under 49 U.S.C. 46505. Federal law also limits mailing concealable handguns through the U.S. Mail under 18 U.S.C. 1715. Plan any air travel around these rules well in advance.
Regulations on shipping firearms by U.S. Mail. See Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail. The federal nonmailable-firearms statute, 18 U.S.C. 1715, applies to pistols, revolvers, and other concealable firearms.
Qualified active and retired law enforcement officers may carry concealed nationwide under federal law, 18 U.S.C. 926B (active) and 18 U.S.C. 926C (retired), subject to the conditions in those statutes. This is a federal authorization, not a New Mexico exemption. New Mexico separately waives application, renewal, and training requirements for certain current and retired certified law enforcement officers and mounted patrol members under NMSA 1978 Section 29-19-14.
A New Mexico CHL applicant must complete a firearms training course that is approved by the department. By statute the initial course must be at least 15 hours and must cover handgun safety, safe storage and child safety, shooting fundamentals, live fire, applicable federal, state, and local firearms law, conflict avoidance, and nonviolent dispute resolution (NMSA 1978 Section 29-19-7). Every instructor of an approved course must annually file a course description and proof of certification with the department (NMSA 1978 Section 29-19-7).
Renewal requires a certificate of completion of a four-hour refresher firearms training course approved by the department (NMSA 1978 Section 29-19-6). Separately, a licensee must complete a two-hour refresher course 22 to 26 months after the issuance of an original or renewed license (NMSA 1978 Section 29-19-6). The Department of Public Safety publishes the list of approved instructors. Confirm an instructor's current approval status through DPS Special Investigations Division before enrolling.
The following national organizations train instructors who may then seek DPS approval in New Mexico. Approval as a New Mexico instructor still comes from DPS, not from these organizations.
Always verify that any course you take is on the current DPS-approved list before relying on it for licensing.
For New Mexico residents who need a referral to a firearms attorney:
Free public access to NMSA 1978 statutes, including the Concealed Handgun Carry Act and the Weapons and Explosives article.
New Mexico's reciprocal agreements are administered by DPS under NMSA 1978 Section 29-19-12. The DPS reciprocity list is the controlling source. The resources below are useful for a quick check but are not official.
The official, controlling list of states whose licenses New Mexico honors and of states that honor a New Mexico license.
Independent aggregator of state-by-state concealed-carry reciprocity information.
USCCA member resource for reciprocity and state law summaries.
A person facing a firearm protection order petition under the Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order Act (NMSA 1978 Sections 40-17-1 to 40-17-13), or a CHL holder facing a mental-health crisis, may benefit from these resources:
A concealed handgun license is valid on tribal land only to the extent the tribe permits it, and tribal governments may set their own firearms rules (see NMSA 1978 Section 29-19-10, validity of license on tribal land). Many New Mexico pueblos and tribal jurisdictions regulate firearms differently from state law.
For people facing domestic violence, whether as a victim or as a person subject to or considering a protective order:
National program providing free firearm safety education and locking devices. Safe storage and child safety are required topics in the New Mexico approved training course (NMSA 1978 Section 29-19-7).
Industry safety education resources.
These are the New Mexico statutes most often cited in this guide. Each has been confirmed against the current statute text.
The resources above are provided for informational purposes only. Inclusion is not an endorsement. The accuracy and currency of third-party resources is the responsibility of the publishing organizations, not this guide. Statutory citations reflect the publicly available New Mexico Statutes Annotated and may change as the legislature amends the law. For binding legal advice, consult a licensed New Mexico attorney.
This page covers one part of our New Mexico concealed carry guide.
Read the complete New Mexico guideBrowse local instructors offering state-approved training in your area. Book online, complete your training, and get one step closer to your concealed carry permit.