N.M. Gov. Martinez Backs Gun Show Bill

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has announced her support for a compromise bill that would require background checks for people who purchase firearms at gun shows, according to The Santa Fe New Mexican.

The measure would also establish mechanisms to bring the state’s mental health and criminal conviction records into the federal instant background check system, the newspaper reported.

The Republican governor, who has been a strong supporter of gun rights, said she would support the bill “if it stays the way it is” because she believes it will help in “keeping the guns out of the hands [of] people who don’t have any business having guns.”

The measure already has passed the state House Judiciary Committee on a bipartisan vote. It's scheduled for debate before the full House on Wednesday.