Shortly after New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham temporarily banned the carrying of firearms in public spaces, and people peacefully protested.
A group of Americans peacefully protested on the Sunday after the ban was imposed. Some of them openly carried firearms to defy the governor’s order.
There were no Police present except for an Albuquerque Police Department surveillance device that locals say is often parked over the weekends at Old Town Plaza.
The governor has vowed to go after the peaceful protestors.
“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.”
Sure seems like the ban may be more about imposing it than lowering crime.
Bernillio County and Albuquerque officials refuse to enforce the ban; however, Grisham said the State Police would handle enforcement.
Additionally, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez has been very silent but is a strong advocate for gun control.
Torrez recently joined other Attorney Generals in an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit against Smith & Wesson.
Violators of the ban will not be charged with a crime and cannot be detained. Violators of the ban “may be subject to civil administrative penalties.”
Grisham told reporters that the penalties will likely be misdemeanors.
“Since Friday, it’s been hard to not be emotional and emotionally heightened, my thoughts are very scattered,” Albuquerque resident Branden Perry said while attending the peacefull protest. “There is still fear here that coming to events like this will get you targeted.”
Several legal challenges have been filed against the ban and even Democrats are very concerned.
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. https://t.co/kOhLMtaOl2
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) September 9, 2023
