A storm of dissent brewed in New Mexico as Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s controversial ban on open and concealed carry permits met stark opposition. Sheriff John Allen, once an ally of the governor, denounced the 30-day “public health order” as unconstitutional overreach.
“There’s no way we can enforce this unlawful order,” Allen declared at a heated press conference. “This ban does nothing but trample on rights while criminals roam free.”
Under the emergency order, enacted in response to recent eruptions of violence, the right to bear arms was temporarily revoked in Albuquerque and surrounding Bernalillo County. Grisham aimed to curb the bloodshed, but her actions unleashed a firestorm.
Sheriff Allen claimed he had voiced concerns over the order from the start. “The governor knew law enforcement opposed this draconian decree, but she forged ahead regardless.”
Defiant as ever, Grisham fired back and admonished the sheriff to “stop being squeamish” and enforce her command. “I don’t need constitutional lecturing from Sheriff Allen. What I need is action to protect victims of violent crime.”
Yet Allen held firm, refusing to relent. Grisham cited the heartbreaking shooting of an 11-year old boy outside a baseball game as justification for disarming the public. But the sheriff rebutted that only law-abiding citizens would comply, while criminals ran unchecked.
As the two leaders locked horns, the governor vowed she would not back down from doing “what’s right.” But in the eyes of many, including the district attorney, her methods betrayed constitutional principles.
Debate raged on over Grisham’s drastic bid to curb violence and whether the ends justified the means. But one thing was clear: her controversial order had ignited a political firestorm that may leave permanent scars.