New Mexico Gun Laws & Firearms Safety Practice Exam

In New Mexico, who is responsible for ensuring a firearm is not accessible to children?

1. The firearm manufacturer

2. The child's parent or guardian

3. The state government

4. The local law enforcement

The correct answer is: The child's parent or guardian

In New Mexico, the responsibility for ensuring that a firearm is not accessible to children primarily falls on the child's parent or guardian. This aligns with general expectations of parental responsibility and duty of care to keep children safe from potential harm. Parents and guardians are in the best position to manage their household environment and decide on appropriate safety measures, such as using gun locks, safes, or other secure storage methods for firearms. While firearm manufacturers may provide safety devices and guidelines for responsible use, it is ultimately up to the adults in the child’s life to implement these precautions. Local law enforcement and state government authorities may promote gun safety or create regulations regarding firearm storage, but they do not directly oversee individual households' firearm security.