SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - A gun safety group ranks as the state’s top spender out of all the lobbyists in the state.
Documents filed with the secretary of state’s office show New York-based Everytown for Gun Safety spent nearly $220,000 in 2016, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported (https://bit.ly/2k4Qjzw).
The National Rifle Association spent $10,000 in New Mexico last year.
New Mexico lobbyists shelled out a total $1.7 million.
Everytown Regional director Pedro Morillas mostly focused the expenditures on political action committees. The group, which was founded by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, also made $1,000 to $5,000 donations to certain lawmakers.
House Minority Leader Rep. Nate Gentry was the lone Republican to receive an Everytown donation.
Last year, Gentry helped pass a bill that requires courts to send any mental health records that may be relevant to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
Everytown is focused on supporting legislative efforts to require background checks for most private firearm sales, group spokeswoman Stacey Radnor said in an email.
“Everytown for Gun Safety and the New Mexico chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America declared victory (in November) in electing a bipartisan background-check majority to the statehouse,” Radnor said.
Chevron spent the second-most on lobbying in the state last year at nearly $157,000.
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Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, https://www.sfnewmexican.com
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