News · Press Release

Vasquez Leads on Real Solutions to Combat Crime in New Mexico

To address crime and youth violence across New Mexico, Congressman Gabe Vasquez is stepping up with real solutions — pushing for commonsense gun safety laws, more resources for local law enforcement, and accountability for tech platforms that enable criminal activity and youth violence.

At a recent roundtable with law enforcement officials to hear their concerns, Vasquez backed laws to prevent children from accessing firearms, called for stronger oversight of social media platforms fueling gun trafficking and organized crime, and underscored his commitment to tackling root causes of crime through mental health services and community safety programs.

DCCC Spokesperson Anna Elsasser:
“While Republicans play politics and block commonsense safety measures, Gabe Vasquez is working side-by-side with law enforcement to be responsive to their needs and keep families safe. From cracking down on illegal gun trafficking and funding officer recruitment and retention, to demanding accountability from Big Tech, Vasquez is putting New Mexico communities first — and that’s the kind of leadership voters can count on.”

Read more:
Source New Mexico: U.S. Rep. Vasquez backs laws for gun storage, social media during meeting with police

  • In a wide-ranging conversation…with police leaders from central New Mexico about local public safety issues, U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez…said he wants to make it a federal crime to not safely store firearms around children and wants to regulate social media use that encourages violence. Vasquez also discussed his efforts to boost funding for local law enforcement needs.
  • Vasquez said he supports federal legislation called Ethan’s Law that would set standards for safe gun storage and give states incentives to create and implement safe gun storage laws.
  • Vasquez also said Wednesday he wants to put “parameters” on the $170 billion allocated in the “big beautiful bill” for President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, including nearly $30 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
  • Vasquez said Congress gave the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, “a blank check,” and he is working on legislation, which he has not introduced yet, that would place limits on how the agency spends the money.
  • “We’re going to advocate that it be used for public safety at the local level,” he said.
Albuquerque Journal: Four takeaways from Congressman Gabe Vasquez’s talk with law enforcement leaders

  • Mental health funds, youth violence and drones were top of mind for New Mexico law enforcement officials at a round table with Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., in Albuquerque on Wednesday afternoon.
  • Vasquez was in the northern part of his congressional district this week, speaking with advocates on everything from food aid to rural schools. The congressman said he thinks a broader conversation between New Mexico policymakers and law enforcement is needed, and he would be willing to help coordinate one.
  • Vasquez said he would look into regulating social media platforms after hearing from law enforcement heads that young people are acquiring firearms that are stolen from cars and then sold on social media platforms, particularly Telegram.
  • The congressman is already supporting Ethan’s Law, a safe storage bill that would require any firearms in homes to be safely stored if a minor could gain access to them.

###

Please make sure that the form field below is filled out correctly before submitting.