Staff Reports
In a move that has sparked controversy and legal action, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has issued an “emergency” order banning the carrying of firearms in Albuquerque. The governor’s order comes after a string of homicides, including the tragic murder of an 11-year-old child. Lujan Grisham argues that gun violence has become a public health issue, prompting her to take this drastic measure.
However, gun rights advocates are fighting back. The National Association for Gun Rights has filed a lawsuit against the order, claiming that it is unconstitutional. They argue that the order violates their Second Amendment rights and cite a recent Supreme Court ruling that struck down a New York concealed carry law. According to the gun rights group, any firearm regulations must be based on the nation’s historical tradition to be considered constitutional, and they maintain that there is no such historical tradition in the United States.
This gun ban has faced strong criticism from those who support gun rights. Kerry Slone, Director of Education at the Crime Prevention Research Center, argues that the governor’s order puts law-abiding citizens, particularly women who are often targeted for violent crimes, at an even greater risk. Republican state lawmakers have even called for the impeachment of Gov. Lujan Grisham over the order, claiming that it infringes on the rights of law-abiding gun owners and fails to address the core issue of crime.
While New Mexico’s legislature is controlled by Democrats, making the impeachment efforts unlikely to succeed, there is a possibility that a court challenge could overturn the governor’s order. With the recent Supreme Court ruling, the argument against the order’s constitutionality becomes stronger. It remains to be seen how this legal battle will unfold and what implications it may have for gun rights in the state.
