Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham doubles down on UNCONSTITUTIONAL 30-day ban on concealed and open carry permits in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County

By lauraharris // 2023-09-18

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New Mexico's Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham recently issued a 30-day "emergency public health order" to ban concealed and open carry permits across Albuquerque and the surrounding Bernalillo County. When challenged on its lack of constitutionality, she doubled down on the order and insisted there are "exceptions" to the U.S. Constitution that she can invoke at will, all on her own. The suspension applies to both open and concealed carry in most public places, with exceptions made for police and licensed security guards and in specific locations like gun stores and shooting ranges. However, any citizen found in violation could face civil penalties or a fine of up to $5,000. (Related: Philadelphia’s Democrat mayor signs gun ban that applies to concealed carry permit holders.) Grisham used the series of gun violence happening in the city within the past month to justify her decision, including the tragic killing of an 11-year-old boy outside a minor league baseball stadium earlier in September. Moreover, Grisham cited other recent incidents in Albuquerque, including the tragic shooting outside the Albuquerque Isotopes' field that left 11-year-old Froyland Villegas dead and a woman critically wounded. Both victims were inside a vehicle that was sprayed with bullets as people were leaving the game. Another heart-wrenching incident occurred on Aug. 13, when 5-year-old Galilea Samaniego was shot and killed as she slept when four teens entered a mobile home community in two stolen vehicles and opened fire on the home. The young girl was shot in the head and died from her injuries at a hospital. A third deadly shooting took place in August in Taos County when a 14-year-old boy used his father's gun to shoot and kill his friend, 13-year-old Amber Archuleta, while they were at the boy's home. The incidents have raised significant concerns about gun violence in the region and the appropriate response to address it. Grisham acknowledged that the order may face resistance from both law enforcement agencies and law-abiding citizens. "I welcome the debate and fight about how to make New Mexicans safer," she stated.

Gun ban is a violation of the 2nd Amendment, but Grisham pushed it anyway

And what she said during her speech was true — Democrats and Republicans who were against the decision immediately fired back. Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen, who initially stood beside the governor during the rollout of the policy, described the order as "unconstitutional" during a press conference held the next week after the announcement. "It's unconstitutional, so there's no way we can enforce that order. This ban does nothing to curb gun violence. We must always remember not only are we protecting the Second Amendment, but at the same time, we have a lot of violence within our community. Let me be clear, I hold my standards high, and I do not or never will hedge on what is right," Allen declared. In June, Norm Pattis, a lawyer for We The People USA (WTPUSA), wrote in an email to the Associated Press and explained why such an order or law would be a Second Amendment gun rights violation. "Individuals have a right to bear arms under both the state and federal constitutions. The state constitution guarantees a right to protect oneself. No one sacrifices that right by walking out of their front door. In an era of defunding police, permissive bail reform and liberal clemency, folks depend on the right to self-defense more than ever." Allen made it clear that he disagreed with the order and that it was only the decision of Grisham. However, Grisham urged him to "stop being squeamish" about enforcing the order. "I don't need a lecture on constitutionality from Sheriff Allen. What I need is action," Grisham said in a statement. "What we need is for leaders to stand up for the victims of violent crime. We need law enforcement, district attorneys, public officials, school leaders and state agencies to use every single tool at their disposal to stop this violence. Period." "We’ve given you the tools, Sheriff Allen — now stop being squeamish about using them. I will not back down from doing what’s right, and I will always put the safety of the people of New Mexico first," she continued. Even Republican State Sen. Greg Baca opposed it, and her reasons were beyond the second amendment. "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," Baca said.

Check out SecondAmendment.news for more stories related to the constitutional right to bear arms of Americans.

Watch the full episode of "Faithful Freedom" with Teryn Gregson featuring Dawn Jolly discussing why anti-open carry legislation is not lawful and does not make people safe. This video is from the We The Patriots USA channel on Brighteon.com.

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Gun ban is a violation of the 2nd Amendment, but Grisham pushed it anyway

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