On Friday, the New Mexico Department of Public Safety announced that it would no longer recognize concealed carry permits issued by Utah. TTAG suggested that The Land of Enchantment was disenchanted with The Beehvive State’s gun trainers because Utah’s mob were encroaching on New Mexico’s home grown instructors’ turf. I just got off the blower with New Mexico’s PR guy. DPS spinmeister Peter Olsen says it’s all about Utah’s sub-standard standards. “We became concerned that residents were circumventing our conceal carry laws,” Olsen maintained. “Utah’s trainers were giving permits to New Mexicans after four hours of classroom instruction. In our state, permit holders must take 15 hours of instruction, which includes proven proficiency.” We’re talking range safety, gun safety and basic marksmanship (“being able to hit what you’re aiming at”). Surprisingly, Olsen said his employer never had “real reciprocity” with Utah, anyway.
