Shoot Safe, Not Sorry: A Call for Firearm Responsibility Along La Luz Creek

La Luz, NM — Nestled in the foothills of the Sacramento Mountains, La Luz Creek is a cherished corridor for families, hikers, dog walkers, and ATV riders. It’s also become, increasingly and alarmingly, an informal shooting range for some local firearms enthusiasts. As one who served his country, I am firearms-trained citizen, and a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment

I believe it’s time we talk openly about what’s happening—and what’s at stake.

Let’s be clear: this is not an anti-gun message. It’s a pro-safety, pro-community, and pro-law enforcement message.

Responsible gun ownership includes knowing where it is—and isn’t—legal to shoot.

In New Mexico, it is illegal to discharge a firearm across or along a road, trail, or waterway. That includes La Luz Creek.

What the Law Says

Under New Mexico law and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regulations, it is prohibited to:

Shoot across or along any road, trail, or body of water

Discharge a firearm within 150 yards of a residence, campsite, or developed recreation area

Engage in target shooting without a safe backstop or in areas where people are likely to be present

Violations can result in criminal charges, including negligent use of a firearm—a fourth-degree felony if it endangers others.

Why It Matters Here

La Luz Creek is not a remote wilderness. It’s a shared public space. On any given day, you’ll find:

Children playing in or near the water

Locals walking their dogs

ATV riders navigating the trails

Wildlife crossing the brush

A single stray bullet could negatively change a life forever. And yet, enforcement in this area has been inconsistent. Some shooters may not even realize they’re breaking the law. Others may assume that because it’s not posted, it’s fair game. It’s not.

A Responsible Gun Owners Perspective

I’ve spent years training with firearms. I shoot regularly at designated ranges local, in California and on foreign lands. I believe in the right to bear arms—and I believe in the duty to protect our neighbors.

That duty includes educating each other, not shaming or reporting out of spite, but raising awareness before tragedy strikes.

I don’t want to see anyone hurt. I don’t want to see a fellow law-abiding citizen arrested for something they didn’t know was illegal. And I don’t want to see our community divided over something that should unite us: respect for life, law, and liberty. I respect the 2nd Amendment. I believe there should be little to no restrictions on gun ownership to include licensing everyone to include repatriated nonviolent felons. If one gets their voting rights back, they should also get their 2nd Amendment rights back. The constitution is very clear- the right to bear arms shall NOT be Infringed.  Laws preventing gun ownership should be stricken down, period. 

What You Can Do

Know the law: If you’re unsure where it’s legal to shoot, check with the BLM or local ordinances.

Educate others: Share this information with friends, family, and fellow shooters.

Use designated shooting ranges: They exist for a reason—and they’re safer for everyone.

Speak up, safely: If you see unsafe shooting, consider posting a sign or talking to a local group. You don’t have to confront anyone directly.

Final Word

The right to bear arms comes with the responsibility to use them wisely. Let’s keep La Luz Creek a place of peace, not peril. Let’s protect our freedoms by honoring the laws that safeguard them.

Because the next time someone pulls a trigger up there, it shouldn’t be the last sound a child, a parent or a grandparent hears.