Larceny Of Firearm <$2500 Each
Legal Definition
A person commits larceny by stealing property belonging to another with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of that property. When the property stolen is a firearm and the value of each firearm is less than $2,500, the offense is classified based on the aggregate value and the nature of the property. Larceny of a firearm is treated more seriously than ordinary larceny due to the inherent danger and regulated status of firearms.
Possible Punishment
Basic sentence of 18 months imprisonment; fine up to $5,000. Upon completion of any prison sentence, the offender must serve a mandatory period of parole. New Mexico law treats theft of firearms as a fourth degree felony regardless of value under $2,500, reflecting the public-safety concern associated with stolen firearms entering illegal circulation.
Local Context
Larceny is New Mexico's general theft statute. The "firearm" designation elevates what might otherwise be petty larceny (under $500) or misdemeanor larceny ($500–$2,500) to a fourth degree felony. If multiple firearms are stolen, each valued under $2,500, the aggregate value and number may affect charging decisions, but the per-firearm felony classification remains. Federal firearms-theft statutes may also apply concurrently.
Property-Crime Cases in Doña Ana County
Property charges in New Mexico scale with dollar value and circumstances. The same shoplifting conduct can be a petty misdemeanor or a felony depending on the value of what was taken, and burglary escalates sharply when the structure is a home or someone is inside. That is why our charge database lists several versions of larceny and burglary with different classifications.
Property cases also drive a large share of repeat bookings: failure to appear on an older larceny case frequently brings someone back into the detention center on a bench warrant alongside any new charge.
Related Guides
Misdemeanor vs. Felony in New Mexico: Sentences, Courts, and Consequences
How New Mexico separates petty misdemeanors, misdemeanors, and felony degrees: sentence ranges, jail vs. prison, habitual enhancements, and collateral costs.
Bench Warrants and Failure to Appear in New Mexico: How a Missed Court Date Becomes a Booking
What a bench warrant is, how it differs from an arrest warrant, why FTA bookings fill the Doña Ana County jail log, and how to clear a warrant before arrest.
Recent Arrests for This Charge (1)
Information provided for general reference. Statutory text is summarized and may not reflect the most recent amendments. All persons listed are presumed innocent until proven guilty.