Lujan Grisham’s gun ban demonstrates urgency of unified effort to protect Second Amendment
By Katie Pointer Baney
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s suspension of New Mexicans’ constitutional right to carry firearms in Albuquerque has been the subject of outrage from every corner of the nation, all ends of the political spectrum, and rightfully so. Politically motivated actions meant to punish law-abiding gun owners have become commonplace among anti-gun politicians, but Gov. Lujan Grisham’s utter abandonment of her constitutional oath caught many by surprise.
As widely reported, the order caused even staunch gun control supporters like California Congressman Ted Lieu and activist David Hogg to sound the alarm on its legality and efficacy. It has faced an onslaught of legal challenges, as well as a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives condemning the order that has gained over 90 co-sponsors.
One of the most reckless aspects of this entire case is Gov. Lujan Grisham’s own admission that the order will make no difference in preventing violent crime. Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen said it best: “The order will not do anything to curb gun violence other than to punish law-abiding citizens from their constitutional right to self-defense.”
Gov. Lujan Grisham stated that law-abiding gun owners must make a “sacrifice that allows everyone else to get their arms around a growing, significant problem.” We ask this: What about the sacrifice of New Mexicans’ personal safety? A mother cannot, under the remaining order, protect herself and her child. The absurdity of the governor’s actions becomes even more acute when you consider the surge in violent crime in New Mexico.
Fortunately, a federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order against the governor’s unconstitutional move. We expect the so-called “emergency public health order” to ultimately be thrown on the ash heap of history given its extremely tenuous legal footing, but that doesn’t mean liberty-loving Americans can rest on their laurels. As long as elected officials like Gov. Lujan Grisham do not respect their constitutional oaths, there will be future threats to law-abiding citizens’ right to self-defense.
There is an urgent need for a united front of patriots who will swiftly push back on this type of overreach so that it never happens again, which is why we assembled more than 150 responsible gun owners in Albuquerque days after the governor’s order was announced. The press conference and rally, hosted by the U.S. Concealed Carry Association For Saving Lives Action Fund (USCCA-FSL Action Fund) at Calibers shooting range in Albuquerque brought together state and local elected officials, gun rights organizations and New Mexico citizens to speak out against Gov. Lujan Grisham’s order.
Read the full story from the Albuquerque Journal here.