A recent audit by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety (DPS) has led to the suspension of over 730 concealed carry licenses, with the discovery that 27 instructors had failed to renew their credentials. Among those affected is Santa Fe resident Bob Clark, who invested time and money to obtain his license six months ago. Now, he and others are being asked to retake their training courses due to the instructor’s oversight.
While the courses will be offered for free, participants must cover ammunition and range fees. Clark expressed frustration that the burden falls on students who followed all requirements, questioning the reliability of the DPS system for verifying instructor compliance. The department’s spokesman, Herman Lovato, stated that the audit was triggered by an instructor not renewing their license, leading to a new protocol to notify instructors before their permits expire.
Affected licensees have 90 days to complete a new training course and submit a certificate to maintain their licenses. Failure to do so will result in license suspension, with the opportunity to reapply later. Clark has called for an investigation into the oversight to prevent similar errors in the future, emphasizing the inconvenience and costs imposed on students. This incident raises concerns about public safety and civil rights, as the issue highlights the importance of ensuring proper instructor credentials to uphold the law.
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