On Friday, Democratic New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an emergency order banning the right to carry firearms in a public setting in Albuquerque for 30 days.
Grisham issued the order as the result of an uptick of violence in the city, which included an 11-year-old boy being shot to death in front of a minor league baseball stadium a week ago.
The New Mexico Governor also stated that any citizen being found in violation of the order could face civil penalties or a $5,000 fine. Under the emergency order, New Mexico residents who are in possession of a concealed carry permits can still transport weapons to certain locations, including gun stores and shooting ranges.
Grisham said she understands there will be pushback amongst the law enforcement community and the law-abiding citizens of New Mexico.
"I welcome the debate and fight about how to make New Mexicans safer," she said as she was flanked by law enforcement officials at a Friday press dump.
The Bernalillo County Sherriff, John Allen, also issued a statement after the Governor’s press conference. "While I appreciate the urgency," the sheriff said, "the temporary ban challenges the foundations 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."
Governor Grisham cited multiple incidents that have taken place in the last month, including the one at the minor league baseball game of the 11-year-old boy, which may have been the result of road rage, and the shooting of a five-year-old girl. The little girl, Galilea Samaniego, was mortally wounded when four teens entered her mobile home park in stolen vehicles.
The teens were involved in a shootout in the park, and Samaniego was struck by an errant bullet and later died at a hospital.
The New Mexico State Senate's top-ranked Republican immediately fired back on the Governor’s order that he said targets New Mexicans' constitutional rights.
"A child is murdered, the perpetrator is still on the loose, and what does the governor do? She targets law-abiding citizens with an unconstitutional gun order," said State Senator Greg Baca.
Grisham has a history of targeting guns since taking office in 2019. In 2020, she signed a cabal of legislative papers restricting citizens' access to firearms. The governor had a major hand in the Red Flag law that restricted New Mexicans who may have had mental health problems in their past from owning firearms.
Miranda Viscoli, President of New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, applauded the governor’s decision. "If it saves one life, then its worth doing," Viscoli said in statement on Friday.
Grisham issued the order as the result of an uptick of violence in the city, which included an 11-year-old boy being shot to death in front of a minor league baseball stadium a week ago.
The New Mexico Governor also stated that any citizen being found in violation of the order could face civil penalties or a $5,000 fine. Under the emergency order, New Mexico residents who are in possession of a concealed carry permits can still transport weapons to certain locations, including gun stores and shooting ranges.
Grisham said she understands there will be pushback amongst the law enforcement community and the law-abiding citizens of New Mexico.
"I welcome the debate and fight about how to make New Mexicans safer," she said as she was flanked by law enforcement officials at a Friday press dump.
The Bernalillo County Sherriff, John Allen, also issued a statement after the Governor’s press conference. "While I appreciate the urgency," the sheriff said, "the temporary ban challenges the foundations 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."
Governor Grisham cited multiple incidents that have taken place in the last month, including the one at the minor league baseball game of the 11-year-old boy, which may have been the result of road rage, and the shooting of a five-year-old girl. The little girl, Galilea Samaniego, was mortally wounded when four teens entered her mobile home park in stolen vehicles.
The teens were involved in a shootout in the park, and Samaniego was struck by an errant bullet and later died at a hospital.
The New Mexico State Senate's top-ranked Republican immediately fired back on the Governor’s order that he said targets New Mexicans' constitutional rights.
"A child is murdered, the perpetrator is still on the loose, and what does the governor do? She targets law-abiding citizens with an unconstitutional gun order," said State Senator Greg Baca.
Grisham has a history of targeting guns since taking office in 2019. In 2020, she signed a cabal of legislative papers restricting citizens' access to firearms. The governor had a major hand in the Red Flag law that restricted New Mexicans who may have had mental health problems in their past from owning firearms.
Miranda Viscoli, President of New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, applauded the governor’s decision. "If it saves one life, then its worth doing," Viscoli said in statement on Friday.
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