New Mexico Judge Temporarily Blocks Gun Ban Order, GOP Calls for Supreme Court Ruling
In a recent development, a U.S. District Court Judge in New Mexico has granted a temporary restraining order against a portion of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s public health order that banned open and concealed firearms in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. The ruling comes as a relief for gun rights advocates, who argue that the ban infringes upon the citizens’ constitutional rights.
House Republican Leader Ryan Lane sees this as a positive step, but he believes there is more work to be done. He calls for a ruling from the New Mexico Supreme Court, stating that the order is not only unconstitutional but also unenforceable. Lane emphasizes the importance of upholding citizens’ rights and ensuring their safety.
Meanwhile, there have been calls from local and state leaders to hold a special session to discuss the issue of crime. However, Lane states that he hasn’t heard such a proposal from the opposing party.
The Democratic Party of New Mexico issued a statement in response, urging Republicans to take gun violence seriously and work together to implement gun safety measures that will reduce crime and save lives. They accuse Republicans of using instances of gun violence for political posturing while blocking meaningful gun safety reforms.
Lane acknowledges that his party has discussed the idea of a special session on crime. He highlights the need to address the root causes of crime in Albuquerque and suggests solutions such as addressing repeat offenders and improving mental health resources.
Lane also expresses frustration regarding his party’s ideas being rejected during the session. However, he believes that pursuing a court ruling and demonstrating their commitment to protecting citizens’ rights is a better approach than impeaching the governor.
It’s important to note that the judge’s ruling does not strike down the entire public health order. Rather, it only suspends the sections that prohibit guns in public places for the next three weeks, pending another hearing on the case.
In response to the recent developments, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham took to social media to address the New Mexico GOP.
The issue of gun rights and public safety continues to be a contentious one in New Mexico. While the temporary restraining order provides temporary relief for gun owners, the matter will ultimately be decided by the New Mexico Supreme Court. The coming weeks will undoubtedly be crucial in shaping gun policies in the state.
