Lawmakers demand New Mexico Governor’s impeachment over gun order.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s emergency order suspending the right to carry firearms in public in and around Albuquerque drew an immediate court challenge and also calls for her impeachment by Republicans in the legislature
New Mexico state Reps. Stefani Lord and John Block, both Republicans, called for her impeachment after she issued the order days ago, which prohibits citizens to carry guns in public around Albuquerque.
“This is an abhorrent attempt at imposing a radical, progressive agenda on an unwilling populous. Rather than addressing crime at its core, Governor Grisham is restricting the rights of law-abiding gun owners,” Ms. Lord wrote in a press release on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Mr. Block claimed that the governor has “called for open season on law-abiding citizens” by misinterpreting the Constitution and laws of the state. “That’s something that needs to be remedied immediately,” the lawmaker said.
In response to the impeachment threat, Mrs. Lujan Grisham’s office said the governor is “prepared to fight challenges to her decision and recognizes not everyone supports the public health order,” adding that it’s a ”public health emergency, and extraordinary measures are required to prevent more innocent New Mexicans from being killed by guns.”
Lawsuit Filed
The National Association for Gun Rights and Foster Haines, a member who lives in Albuquerque, filed documents (pdf) in U.S. District Court in New Mexico suing Lujan Grisham and seeking an immediate block to the implementation of her order.
“The State must justify the Carry Prohibition by demonstrating that it is consistent with the Nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation,” the lawsuit said. “But it is impossible for the State to meet this burden, because there is no such historical tradition of firearms regulation in this Nation.”
The president of the pro-gun group, Dudley Brown, said that Mrs. Lujan Grisham’s order is essentially a “middle finger” to the U.S. Constitution and the Supreme Court, according to a statement.
“Her executive order is in blatant disregard for Bruen. She needs to be held accountable for stripping the God-given rights of millions away with the stroke of a pen,” Mr. Brown said, referring to a previous Supreme Court order on gun rights.
The governor, a Democrat, said the 30-day suspension, enacted as an emergency public health measure, would apply in most public places, from city sidewalks to parks. Mrs. Lujan Grisham said that the state police would be responsible for enforcing what amount to civil violations and carry a fine of up to $5,000. In
Lujan Graham argued that the order was designed to help reduce the number of shootings in New Mexico, while calling on the federal government’s help.
“These are disgusting acts of violence that have no place in our communities,” Mrs. Lujan Grisham said Thursday, saying that Bernalillo County needed a “cooling off period” amid a rise in shootings. She also said her state should use the ” power of a public health [order] in a state of emergency to access different levels, different resources, and different opportunities to keep New Mexicans safe.”
The order stipulated that gun owners still would be able to transport guns to private locations such as a gun range or gun store if the firearm is in a container or has a trigger lock or mechanism making it impossible to discharge.
In issuing the order, she said she was compelled to act after an 11-year-old boy was shot and killed outside a minor league baseball game stadium as well as gunfire that left a 5-year-old girl dead.
Reactions
But some Democratic officials, sheriffs, and even district attorneys said they cannot enforce her order.
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, who once served as a Democratic party leader and was appointed by Lujan Grisham, on Saturday joined Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and Police Chief Harold Medina saying they wouldn’t enforce the order.
Mr. Medina noted that Albuquerque police made more than 200 arrests of suspects in killings in the last two years. Police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said enforcing the order also could put Albuquerque police in a difficult position with a U.S. Department of Justice police reform settlement.
“As an officer of the court, I cannot and will not enforce something that is clearly unconstitutional,” said Mr. Bregman, the top prosecutor in the Albuquerque area. “This office will continue to focus on criminals of any age that use guns in the commission of a crime.”
Similarly, Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen said he was uneasy about how gun owners might respond. “I am wary of placing my deputies in positions that could lead to civil liability conflicts,” he said, “as well as the potential risks posed by prohibiting law-abiding citizens from their constitutional rights.”
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...