New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has unilaterally suspended open and concealed carry laws in Albuquerque and the surrounding area for at least the next 30 days after a young boy was killed Thursday in a tragic road rage incident.
The Democratic-controlled state issued an executive order on Thursday declaring gun violence to be a public health emergency and mandating the gun law suspension. In response, gun rights advocates have attacked the order as an unconstitutional overreach of power.
In a press conference held on Friday, Governor Grisham seemed to acknowledge the potential legal battle ahead, saying, “Now I am sure as I go through the rest of this, there will be a lot of questions about whether or not we think we have the legal right to do that. I am sure that before you write this, there will be a legal challenge. And I can’t tell you that we win it given all of the different challenges to gun violence laws and restrictions on individual firearm access and control.”
However, she was adamant in her belief that the suspension of gun regulations was necessary to prevent further incidents of gun violence in the area. “If I’m unsafe, who’s standing up for that right?” She asked. “If this climate is so out of control, somebody should do something. I’m doing as much as I know to do.”
Pressed by reporters as to the effectiveness of the executive order, Governor Grisham responded that she did not think that criminals were likely to pay attention to it. “Uhhh, no” she answered.
Despite this admission, Governor Grisham stands behind her decision, vowing to do “all that [she] can to protect the citizens of New Mexico.” The executive order may be renewed or further extended should there be no lessening of gun violence in the affected area.
In response, the sheriff that covers the county and the Albuquerque DA have said they will not enforce or prosecute violations of the order.
WATCH: New Mexico’s Democrat Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham shreds the Constitution while trying to strip her constituents ability to carry firearms.
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) September 9, 2023
