Applicant qualifications.

A. The department shall issue a concealed handgun license to an applicant who: (1) is a citizen of the United States; (2) is a resident of New Mexico or is a member of the armed forces whose permanent duty station is located in New Mexico or is a dependent of such a member; (3) is twenty-one years of age or older; (4) is not a fugitive from justice; (5) has not been convicted of a felony in New Mexico or any other state or pursuant to the laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction; (6) is not currently under indictment for a felony criminal offense in New Mexico or any other state or pursuant to the laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction; (7) is not otherwise prohibited by federal law or the law of any other jurisdiction from purchasing or possessing a firearm; (8) has not been adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed to a mental institution; (9) is not addicted to alcohol or controlled substances; and (10) has satisfactorily completed a firearms training course approved by the department for the category and the largest caliber of handgun that the applicant wants to be licensed to carry as a concealed handgun. B. The department shall deny a concealed handgun license to an applicant who has: (1) received a conditional discharge, a diversion or a deferment or has been convicted of, pled guilty to or entered a plea of nolo contendere to a misdemeanor offense involving a crime of violence within ten years immediately preceding the application; (2) been convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs within five years immediately preceding the application for a concealed handgun license; (3) been convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving the possession or abuse of a controlled substance within ten years immediately preceding the application; or (4) been convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving assault, battery or battery against a household member. C. Firearms training course instructors who are approved by the department shall not be required to complete a firearms training course pursuant to Paragraph (10) of Subsection A of this section.