On September 8, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) issued a 30-day ban on the open and concealed carry of firearms in Albuquerque and its surrounding counties. With a recent uptick in homicides and gun violence across the state, Lujan Grisham declared gun violence a public health emergency.
On Friday, an 11-year-old boy was killed in a road rage incident in Albuquerque. The governor said that the police would enforce the ban and offenders would be fined up to $5,000.
Since 2019, Lujan Grisham has made a series of legislative changes restricting gun access. 2020’s “red flag” law gave police and sheriffs the right to request the removal of gun possession from unstable individuals. Other changes included the requirements for extended background checks for private gun sales and a ban on firearms for individuals with permanent protective orders for domestic violence.
Most Democrats have voiced support for the order, but a majority of Republicans are opposed to the temporary ban. The National Association for Gun Rights challenged the restriction in court, saying the measure infringed upon the rights of gun owners.
Several members of the city council have declared that the ban goes against the constitution, and top-ranked Republicans in the state are calling for Lujan Grisham’s impeachment. State Reps. Stefani Lord (R) and John Block (R) have called the ban to be an imposition of the “progressive agenda,” accusing Lujan Grisham of restricting the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen voiced his concern about the risk of conflict with gun owners. A spokesman at Allen’s office informed the public via email that the county sheriffs would not be responsible for the enforcement of the order, instead leaving it to the New Mexico State Police.
The ban is set to end on October 6. Lujan Grisham said that she expected backlash from other state officials but will continue to stand behind her decision.
