Democratic New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is facing significant criticism, and notably, some of this disapproval comes from within her own party. This criticism follows her decision to temporarily suspend open and concealed carry laws in Bernalillo County under an emergency health order, a move prompted by a series of tragic shootings involving young children in the state.
However, it’s crucial to note that this measure has sparked a contentious debate, with prominent Democratic figures expressing concerns about its constitutionality. For instance, California Democratic Representative Ted Lieu took to social media to voice his disapproval, stating that while he supports gun safety laws, he believes that Lujan Grisham’s order violates the U.S. Constitution. He firmly stated, “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.”
This sentiment was echoed by gun control activist David Hogg, who responded to Lieu’s tweet with his own agreement, reinforcing the point that the order appears to infringe on constitutional rights. Hogg also emphasized that members of the Democratic Party do not always share identical views on issues such as gun control, emphasizing the diversity of thought within the party.
Despite this criticism, Lujan Grisham’s press secretary, Caroline Sweeney, defended the order, asserting that it does not suspend the Constitution but instead focuses on state laws that fall within the governor’s jurisdiction. Sweeney also responded to the criticism, suggesting that critics like Ted Lieu should actively engage in finding solutions to address the pervasive issue of gun violence rather than merely voicing their concerns.
In a surprising turn of events, the governor herself responded to Ted Lieu’s tweet, inviting him to participate in a police academy class to gain firsthand experience in efforts to curb gun violence. Lujan Grisham appears to be actively seeking solutions to the complex problem of gun violence while dealing with the fallout from her controversial order.
This divisive decision has had ripple effects, with conservatives and social media commenters quick to mock the governor for losing support from figures within her own party who typically champion gun control measures. Meanwhile, some, including Republican Senator Ted Cruz, expressed astonishment at finding themselves in agreement with a Democrat on a gun-related issue.
The controversy surrounding this order has intensified as two Republican legislators in New Mexico, Representatives Stefani Lord and John Block, have called for Governor Lujan Grisham’s impeachment. They argue that her order represents a radical imposition of progressive policies on unwilling residents and raises concerns about restricting the rights of law-abiding gun owners. They also emphasize that criminals may still carry and use weapons, leaving New Mexicans potentially unable to defend themselves from violent crime.
Furthermore, the governor has faced legal challenges from Second Amendment advocacy groups, including The National Association for Gun Rights and the NRA. These groups argue that Lujan Grisham’s order infringes on Second Amendment rights and undermines the Constitution. The NRA has called on the governor to address crime trends through measures other than gun bans.
In sum, Governor Lujan Grisham’s decision to suspend open and concealed carry laws has ignited a heated debate, causing both internal and external divisions within her state and beyond. The outcome of this controversy remains uncertain, as legal challenges and political fallout continue to unfold.