In a shocking move, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a public health emergency over “gun violence” on Thursday, following the death of an 11-year-old boy. On Friday, she took the unprecedented action of “suspending” gun rights in Albuquerque, the state’s largest city, with the potential for other cities to adopt similar measures.
Under this public health emergency, open and concealed carry laws in Bernalillo County have been temporarily suspended, effective immediately. The move is a direct infringement on law-abiding citizens’ Constitutional right to bear arms.
The governor made exceptions for licensed security quarts and law enforcement officers.
According to the press release, “The action plan includes a suspension of open and concealed carry laws in Bernalillo County, temporarily prohibiting the carrying of guns on public property with certain exceptions. Exceptions include for licensed security guards and law enforcement officers. Citizens with permits to carry firearms are free to possess their weapons on private property (such as at a gun range or gun store), provided they transport the firearm in a locked box, use a trigger lock, or some other mechanism that renders the gun incapable of being fired.”
Lujan Grisham took to social media to explain her decision, claiming that two or three children lose their lives to gunshot wounds in New Mexico each month.
Today I issued a 30-day ban on the open & concealed carrying of guns in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. Gun violence is killing between 2 and 3 children every month in NM – every single one of these deaths is unconscionable and they must stop. https://t.co/KJdXUMBVaG
— Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (@GovMLG) September 9, 2023
“I welcome the debate and fight about how to make New Mexicans safer,” Grisham said at a news conference.
However, there is no debating our Constitutional rights.
Unlike privileges, rights cannot be “suspended” or taken away.
Gun rights, which include open and concealed carry laws, cannot be arbitrarily “suspended” by a governor, not even under the pretense of an “emergency”. If allowed to stand, it could set a dangerous precedent where any right could potentially be undermined by the state as long as an emergency declaration is issued.
Any elected official who deliberately and knowingly violates their oath and fails to uphold the Constitutional rights of the American people should be removed from their position immediately and prosecuted.
