In a strange move that has left many shaking their heads, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is targeting gun owners in Albuquerque. She has declared an “emergency” situation related to gun violence in the city and suspended the rights of residents to carry their firearms concealed or openly.
To put it simply, if you’re a gun owner in the city, the government is forcing you to leave your weapon at home, meaning you will be more vulnerable to violent criminals who think gun control laws are hilarious because you will not be able to defend yourself.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a public health emergency over "gun violence" on Thursday following the death of an 11-year-old boy. On Friday, she took the unprecedented step of "suspending" gun rights in Albuquerque, the state's largest city, with the possibility of other cities following suit.
Gov. Lujan Grisham declared gun violence a public health emergency Thursday, following the murder of an 11-year-old boy on his way home from an Isotopes game Wednesday night. That case, combined with several other violent cases involving children, sparked the decision.
The new public health order is effective Friday, Sept. 8. After 30 days, they will evaluate whether they should renew the order or make adjustments.
The public health order is a statewide mandate, but it only suspends open and concealed carry laws in communities with extremely high violent crime rates and firearm-related emergency room visits. Right now, that only includes the Albuquerque metro.
In defending her emergency order, Lujan Grisham expressed her warped view of the Constitution and the rights it is supposed to protect. When addressing those arguing that the order violates the Second Amendment, she said: “No constitutional right, in my view, including my oath, is intended to be absolute.”
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham when asked about her "emergency" order barring people from carrying guns:
— Jeff Charles, An Awful Pundit🏴 (@jeffcharlesjr) September 9, 2023
"No constitutional right, in my view, including my oath, is intended to be absolute. There are restrictions on free speech. There are restrictions on my freedoms." pic.twitter.com/OTWo6mYseM
It is odd that she worded her response this way, given that she has just taken absolute power in denying Albuquerque residents the right to keep and bear arms.
Naturally, many on social media took issue with Lujan Grisham’s order, noting the flagrant violation of natural and Constitutional rights.
"Today I ordered the parents of victims to disarm themselves"
— Classical Liberal Caucus (@LP_CLC) September 9, 2023
Today you violated your oath of office and suspended the Constitution, the Rule of Law, and democracy.
Tomorrow, you must resign or be removed from office.
You should be jailed over this. You do not have the right to unilaterally cancel a constitutional right. Go to Cuba if you want to behave like a communist.
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) September 9, 2023
How many of those murders, or any murders, are by people with CCW permits?
— Kostas Moros (@MorosKostas) September 9, 2023
Will you be personally reimbursing the taxpayers after the inevitable legal challenges result in the government having to pay plaintiffs' legal fees under 42 U.S. Code § 1988? https://t.co/rp66l6Rdji
This is an example of tyrants giving themselves authority they never had.
— Doni 🤓🏴🏴☠️ (@DoniTheDon_) September 9, 2023
No Governor in this country has this authority. This is a real crime. https://t.co/QvvPjHIHOp
Civil liberties don't just pause in times of crisis.
— Libertarian Party (@LPNational) September 9, 2023
Whether it's a pandemic, war, or even just a period of high crime, sacrificing freedom for "security" is a dangerous trade-off that will always lead to tyranny.
Kerry Slone, Director of Education at the Crime Prevention Research Center, told RedState that the governor’s order would make the city more dangerous for residents – especially women:
Most people understand that the recent Executive Order from Gov. Lujan Grisham is unconstitutional. However, what many don’t realize is that this irresponsible act on the governor’s part puts law-abiding citizens, more specifically women, who are significantly targeted more for violent crimes, at a greater risk of being victims.
Folks like Lujan Grisham are far too willing to exploit the murders of children to advance an anti-gunner agenda that does very little to save lives. They play on people’s fear and anger to persuade them to accept tyranny and the violation of their natural rights. What’s even worse is that not only will this “emergency order” not save lives, it will only make people more likely to be victimized by those who do not follow them.
This is a prime example of what I always say: Gun control legislation is a “feel good” measure designed to make people feel as if they are being protected when, in reality, the government is doing nothing of the sort. Instead of taking real steps to tackle violent crime, Lujan Grisham is merely engaging in a pernicious form of political theater, giving gullible people a false sense of security while not actually addressing the problem.
There will certainly be legal challenges to this order, and hopefully, a court will strike it down soon because there is the very real possibility that the governor and her supporters aren’t going to limit this ban to 30 days. It sounds much like “seven days to slow the spread,” doesn’t it?
Lujan Grisham is placing more people in danger by trying to disarm them. This alone should be grounds for removing her from office. Perhaps it is time for those in New Mexico who value liberty to start pushing back.
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