MEDIA INQUIRY: response to Colleen Heild / Albuquerque Journal

Colleen Heild / Albuquerque Journal 505-823-3963 Hoping to write a story for tomorrow's paper if you can get the answers by 5 today. I am looking into a tip that DPS found out that an instructor for concealed carry classes, in which Santa Fe Community College was involved, turned out not to be certified and now the former students have to retake the classes, etc.

Can you tell me how this happened? How many students have to retake classes? Do they have to pay for the classes, etc. all over again? Was this instructor's background checked beforehand? What agency did so? Did that person lie on his background check? Will anything happen to him? How did DPS find out he wasn't certified? ---- PROPOSED RESPONSE ---- THIS HAS BEEN REVIEWED BY SECRETARY BOWIE: The Concealed Carry Unit conducted a random audit of all certified instructor files. It was discovered that 24 failed to renew their credentials. These individuals were notified in writing to address this lapse, and that their concealed carry instructor permit and privileges were suspended immediately. As of today, four instructors were found to be complying and students were not affected; three instructors have been reinstated; five are pending reinstatement; one instructor received a final order on revocation; one instructor is pending a final order of revocation; and 13 instructors are pending revocation for failing to respond. Students who enrolled and completed training with the affected instructors were notified of the instructors lapsed credentials. The Department of Public Safety “coordinated with multiple DPS Concealed Carry Approved Instructors to provide make-up training at no cost to them, except for ammunition and range fees if this is required by the instructor.” The affected students have 90 days to complete the free make-up training from the date they are notified to maintain the active status of their concealed carry license, otherwise they are responsible for the full expenses of the application and training. There are 29 students from the Santa Fe Community College, and a total of 709 statewide. There are a total of 44,474 individuals licensed to carry a concealed weapon in New Mexico. All department approved instructors are required to maintain firearm credentials pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 29-19-7, and Rule 10.8.2.22 NMAC. While it is the responsibility of the instructors to remain in good standing, as a courtesy DPS is notifying instructor 30 days prior to this license lapsing to avoid further disruption of license holder.