Addendum 1: Limitation of Retail Purchases This regulation was brought to our attention by one of the readers of our regulatory E-mails.

This regulation was brought to our attention by
one of the readers of our regulatory E-mails.

Government should almost never intervene between a willing buyer and a willing seller. Unfortunately, under New Mexico law 57-1-18, it is unlawful for stores to place a limit on retail purchases. In other words, if a retailer is selling 2 liters of Coke for 10 cents apiece, that retailer must sell you as many 2 liters as you wish to purchase. This can obviously hinder retailers’ "loss-leader" strategy of offering a few items for a below-market cost in order to get people into their stores to buy other items.

This sounds innocuous enough when it comes to 2 liters of Coke, but what about more potentially-nefarious goods like ammunition? As a store owner, if a customer wants to buy my entire stock of shotgun shells or .22 caliber ammunition, I am legally prohibited from placing limits on the number they may buy.

Clearly, this is an unnecessary and problematic regulation that hinders business owners from running their businesses as they please.

The Legislature should repeal this section of law.

One added note. Check this story out about Wal Mart. The company has set limits on ammo sales. This law is currently null and void here in New Mexico.