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
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a public health order suspending open and concealed carry of firearms in Bernalillo County public places for the next 30 days. Bernalillo County is the home of Albuquerque.
The Governor announced in a press conference Friday that she was taking the extraordinary step after the death of an 11-year-old due to a gunshot and several other shootings. She made the announcement alongside other New Mexico officials, all of whom had taken solemn oaths to support and defend the Constitution.
The Governor claims she has the power because “gun violence” is a “public health crisis.”
The order will almost certainly be challenged on Constitutional grounds. The move seems to run afoul of the Bruen Decision, which said individuals have the right to carry firearms outside the home. The Supreme Court did not make any exceptions for “public health.” In fact, the decision knocked down interest balancing. The Governor stated she expects legal challenges to the order.
AmmoLand News has reached out to several gun rights organizations to get comments. Gun Owners of America (GOA) responded, and the organization is aware of the Governor’s actions and is looking at options to challenge it.
One Cuban American who works for GOA compared the order to the country his family fled.
“New Mexico’ Governor has violated the rights of New Mexico’s law-abiding citizens in a manner I would only expect to see 90 miles off the coast of Florida,” said Luis Valdes, Florida Director, GOA. “In the Communist Hellscape that is Cuba. Criminals will continue to break the law, and the law-abiding will suffer because of it.”
Besides the restriction on carrying firearms outside of one’s residence, there were several other stipulations introduced. Including one measure that will place increased pressure on the locally owned and operated gun shops, implementing monthly inspections of federal firearms licensees (FFL) by the state.
• The Regulation and Licensing Division will conduct monthly inspections of licensed firearm dealers to ensure compliance with all sales and storage laws.
• The Department of Health, along with the Environment Department, will begin wastewater testing for illegal substances such as fentanyl at schools.
• The Department of Health will compile and issue a comprehensive report on gunshot victims presenting at hospitals in New Mexico, which shall include (if available): demographic data of gunshot victims, including age, gender, race, and ethnicity; data on gunshot victims’ healthcare outcomes; the brand and caliber of the firearm used; the general circumstances leading to the injury; the impact of gunshot victims on New Mexico’s healthcare system; and any other pertinent information.
• No firearms are allowed on state property, including state buildings and schools. This also includes other places of education where children gather, such as parks.
• New Mexico State Police will add officers in Albuquerque with funding for overtime provided.
• The Children, Youth, and Families Department will immediately suspend the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative and evaluate juvenile probation protocols.
No lawsuits have been announced, but it is not a question of if. It is only a question of how many and when the cases will be filed.
UPDATE 9/9/2023 Local Law Enforcement have begun to weigh in:
Statement from Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen:
“…However, as the elected Sheriff, I have reservations regarding this order. While I understand and appreciate the urgency, the temporary ban challenges the foundation of our Constitution, which I swore an oath to uphold. I am wary of placing my deputies in positions that could lead to civil liability conflicts, as well as the potential risks posed by prohibiting law-abiding citizens from their constitutional right to self-defense.
I was elected to represent and safeguard all constituents and to ensure the balance between our rights and public safety is maintained. That means we must critically evaluate any proposed solution to the deeply rooted issue of gun violence, ensuring we both protect our community and uphold the values that define us as a nation.” ~ Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen.
Albuquerque Police Department Chief Medina sent the following message to APD officers about the governor’s state order on gun possession.
Chief Medina sent the following message to APD officers about the governor’s state order on gun possession. pic.twitter.com/kUIptQhFZL
— Albuquerque Police Department (@ABQPOLICE) September 9, 2023
UPDATE 9/10/2023
Late Saturday, September 9th, 2023, Gun Owners of America filed a Temporary Restraining Order against the NM Governor’s unconstitutional order.
RANDY DONK, GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA, INC. and GUN OWNERS FOUNDATION, Plaintiffs, v. Civil Action No. 1:23-cv-…
New Mexico Suspends Concealed Carry Public Health Order
About John Crump
John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.
And you’re a fool to obey such stupidity. The Constitution is clear enough. It’s a matter of how much you believe in the Constitution. Do you believe in your Constitutional Rights or Not ? And exactly when will they be back filling all the swimming pools & hot tubs ? Let’s not forget the rivers & lakes when children go unsupervised. My God they kill children. And how many children get hit by cars ? How many die of poisons in the home ? Are they going to send the Board of health to your home next ? Do we… Read more »
Prevarication is a widespread virus infecting the ruling political classes. It often occurs in conjunction with an elevated sense of personal esteem that convinces the sufferer that “they always know best” and any dishonesty needed to implement their edicts is justified to achieve their desired results. The only known cure is a combination of tar, feathers and hemp.
Who’s going to organize the Million Magazine March on Albuquerque?
“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.” ― C. S. Lewis
the dumb broad doesn’t mention no law abiding citizen committed that crime.
in other news.. she says you need to wear that “effective” sheeple mask again.
And don’t forget, get your clot shot and vote twice in November.
Oh the joy of an another politician anointing themself with an unconstitutional & unlawful edict under the decree of a “public health crisis” reeks of tyranny & insincere Bravo Sierra. How about medical “iatrogenesis” as public health crisis which kills far more than 2 orv3 children each year for $300 Alex.