New Mexico lawmakers abandon gun background-check bill

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico state bill to expand background checks to most private gun transactions has been voted down by a legislative panel, ending chances for approval this year. The House Judiciary Committee on Monday failed to endorse the Democrat-sponsored initiative designed to extend background checks to gun sales arranged over the internet or on the sidelines of guns shows that don't involve a licensed dealer. The bill pitted the national group Everytown for Gun Safety and local advocates against the firearms industry and the New Mexico Sheriff's Association. The committee sent a separate bill designed to avoid shootings in domestic violence disputes to the House floor for a final vote. That proposal would ban the possession or purchase of firearms by people under permanent protective orders for domestic violence incidents.