The Democratic governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, was caught on video (and extensively shared on social media) confessing to a reporter that her prohibition on carrying firearms in areas like Albuquerque would not affect criminals.
Grisham reportedly announced the prohibition on open and concealed firearm carry on Friday, September 8, 2023. This 30-day prohibition includes law-abiding citizens who have a permit to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense.
KOB4 shows a reporter asking Grisham whether her order would violate the right to bear arms. In response, Grisham emphasized that, in her view, “no constitutional right is designed to be absolute.”
The reporter asks if she believed criminals would hear her message and not carry a gun in Albuquerque, on the streets, for 30 days.
To which Grisham answered, Ah…noo.”
There have already been two lawsuits filed because of the order. The National Association for Gun Rights filed one case, while Gun Owners of America filed another.
Because it is “obviously unlawful,” Albuquerque District Attorney Sam Bregman has said he would not execute Grisham’s order.
On Friday, the governor announced revisions to the health order, saying New Mexico will restrict open and concealed carry in Bernalillo County. The governor has said that the restriction would only apply to “public parks and playgrounds” from now on.
Substance addiction and its remediation also undergo refinement in her revision. Within 24 hours of a person’s request for drug or alcohol treatment, the local health care practitioner must put them in “a permanent, sufficient treatment placement,” such as an inpatient or outpatient program.
In addition, the governor said that she had no current plans to summon a special legislative session to combat crime. You may review the current public health order here.
