Even prominent gun control proponents are criticizing New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s seemingly unconstitutional temporary ban on firearms.
The Democratic governor ignited a firestorm of controversy last week when she unilaterally suspended open and concealed carry laws for 30 days in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. Despite admitting that she knows criminals will not abide by the order, Lujan Grisham justified it under the guise of “public health.”
Typically, gun control proponents applaud efforts to regulate firearms further. But in this case, Lujan Grisham managed to upset even them.
“I support gun safety laws. However, this order from the Governor of New Mexico violates the U.S. Constitution. No state in the union can suspend the federal Constitution. There is no such thing as a state public health emergency exception to the U.S. Constitution,” Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) responded.
David Hogg, a survivor of the Parkland high school massacre who advocates to pass gun control laws, agreed with Lieu.
“I support gun safety but there is no such thing as a state public health emergency exception to the U.S. Constitution,” Hogg said.
Not only are nationally known gun control proponents objecting to Lujan Grisham’s order, but local officials oppose it and local law enforcement said they won’t enforce it. That includes Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, and Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina. Bregman and Keller are Democrats.
“As an officer of the court, I cannot and will not enforce something that is clearly unconstitutional,” Bregman said. “This office will continue to focus on criminals of any age that use guns in the commission of a crime.”
Gun rights advocates gathered in Old Town Albuquerque on Sunday and openly defied Lujan Grisham’s order. No one was arrested, and it appeared her order was not enforced. The National Association for Gun Rights has also filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the order. The governor said she is prepared to defend it in court.
Meanwhile, state lawmakers are threatening to initiate impeachment proceedings against Lujan Grisham, explaining that their oath to defend the Constitution demands they act to stop a governor who is “subverting the state and federal constitutions and laws of our state.”
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