Ok, so to be honest, I didn’t see this one coming.
Peaceful protestors immediately held a rally the Sunday after New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham imposed a temporary public health emergency prohibiting the carrying of firearms in the city of Albuquerque.
On September 11, 2023, a governor spokesperson promised the protestors carrying firearms at the rally would face the consequences.
“The order is being enforced, and citations will be forthcoming from the State Police,” said Caroline Sweeny, a spokesperson for Lujan Grisham’s office. ”To ensure officer safety, we will not be providing additional details at this time.”
At the time just about every local official, from the Mayor to the county sheriff, said that they would not impose or enforce the ban because it is unconstitutional.
Up to that time the state’s very leftist Attorney General Raul Torrez had not weighed in on the ban. Torrez is as big of a gun control advocate as David Hogg and recently joined a lawsuit suing Smith & Wesson.
Our speculation was that those who violated the ban were all going to be identified and receive civil citations in the mail from the AG’s office. Which would be followed by long court battles.
But that did not happen.
Torrez told Grisham she is on her own and that his office would not defend her or any member of her administration against any lawsuits involving the unconstitutional order.
This is huge. Raul Torres, the New Mexico Attorney General (D), will not defend the Governor or her administration against suits filed in response to her “health emergency”, declaring her order will “not pass constitutional muster”. #Impeachment #ImpeachMLG #impeachGrisham… pic.twitter.com/89QJo4pSFA
— Reeve Swainston, Esq. (@ReeveSwainston) September 12, 2023
Several lawsuits have been launch and it’s really going to be interesting to see what plays out. Traditionally, the AG’s office defends the state from lawsuits. Now the governor is on her own and she doesn’t have anyone that’s willing to enforce it.
A federal judge has also temporarily blocked the order.
Hours before the Torrez told Grisham she was on her own she was defiant during a CNN interview.
“We also have, Governor, the Constitution … and you’re an attorney. Do you think you’re on solid constitutional ground?”
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham: “I have the right”
“But where is the right?”
Lujan Grisham: “We’ll see what all of these court actions do” pic.twitter.com/Rb3MeBZcVH
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 12, 2023
“You just heard from the sheriff. He joins the attorney general and others who say they won’t enforce [a unilateral gun ban]. It’s unconstitutional. Why do it if it can’t be enforced?”
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham: “Well that’s their opinion” pic.twitter.com/YW7dxL61NU
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 12, 2023
This is a developing story and has been updated.
