A federal judge ruled against the emergency public health order, issued by Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, repealing open and concealed carry rights in the largest county of New Mexico.
U.S. District Judge David Urias issued the judgment on Wednesday after numerous gun rights groups and advocates had filed lawsuits against the restrictions. The ruling temporarily suspends the order restricting gun rights until Oct. 3, when a hearing will be held to consider the merits of arguments for and against the ban.
Grisham released a statement on her official social media page about the ruling.
“Today a judge temporarily blocked sections of our public health order but recognized the significant problem of gun violence in this state. I refuse to be resigned to the status quo, and I will never stop fighting to prevent other families from enduring these tragedies,” she wrote.
“To be clear: gun violence and drug abuse are acute threats to public health and safety in this state,” Grisham continued. “We will stay the course by increasing State Police presence in Bernalillo County, arresting the hundreds of violent offenders with outstanding warrants still on our streets, and directing our healthcare system to immediately expand capacity to accept persons experiencing drug addiction and homelessness.”
She went on to call on local law enforcement and the legislature to “enact solutions that save people’s lives.”
Grisham had issued the public safety order on Friday and said she was forced to do so based on several incidents involving gun violence against children in New Mexico. The law imposed a $5,000 fine on people who are caught carrying guns openly or in a concealed manner in public areas of Bernalillo County.
On Tuesday, the state’s attorney general notified Grisham in a letter that, based on his opinion that the order was unconstitutional, his office would not defend her against lawsuits.
“Though I recognize my statutory obligation as New Mexico’s chief legal officer to defend state officials when they are sued in their official capacity, my duty to uphold and defend the constitutional rights of every citizen takes precedence,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez.
“Simply put, I do not believe that the Emergency Order will have any meaningful impact on public safety but,” he added, “more importantly, I do not believe it passes constitutional muster.”
Here’s more about the ruling:
Federal judge blocks New Mexico gun ban issued by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishamwww.youtube.com
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