New Mexico state Senator William P. Soules [Dim] has filed a new bill, SB 171 RELATING TO FIREARMS; PROHIBITING THE SALE OF AUTOMATIC FIREARMS.

It begins by defining a new class of evil firearms; the assault pistol.

“assault pistol” means a semiautomatic pistol that accepts a detachable magazine and has two or more of the following characteristics:

(a) an ammunition magazine that attaches to the pistol outside the pistol grip;

(b) a threaded barrel capable of accepting a barrel extender, flash suppressor, forward hand grip or silencer;

(c) a shroud that is attached to or partially or completely encircles the barrel and permits the shooter to hold the firearm with the second hand without being burned;

(d) a manufactured weight of fifty ounces or more when the pistol is unloaded;

(e) a centerfire pistol with an overall length of twelve inches or more; or

(f) a semiautomatic version of an automatic firearm;

Fairly standard Dimwit definition of “assault weapon,” except that it only applies to handguns, not long guns. An oversight? Is Soules just focused on the California “assault pistol” allegedly used in the recent Chinese new year shooting, due to the notoriously short Dim attention span?

It’s a wonder he didn’t include cowboy six-shooters.

But now things get interesting. After defining “automatic firearm” and “semiautomatic,” he adds this language.

B. The manufacture, sale, barter, trade, gift, transfer or acquisition of any of the following is prohibited: assault pistols; automatic firearms; rifles with barrel lengths less than sixteen inches; shotguns with barrel lengths less than eighteen inches; mufflers, silencers or devices for deadening or muffling the sound of discharged firearms; any type of ammunition or any projectile component thereof coated with teflon or any other similar coating designed primarily to enhance its capabilities to penetrate metal or pierce protective armor; and any type of ammunition or any projectile component thereof designed or intended to explode or segment upon impact with its target.

That looks to me like someone is very worried about the federal National Firearms Act being overturned, and wants to ensure they still have a state law on the books when it happens.

“Manufacture, sale, barter, trade, gift, transfer or acquisition.” Nothing about possession of anything you currently have. nothing about registration. That’s something; but I expect Soules merely left that out knowing that an outright ban won’t fly. If he can get this bill passed, I’m sure he’ll address that little matter later.