New Mexico governor faces backlash over temporary firearm ban

Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen said Monday he would not enforce the governor’s ban on guns in public around Albuquerque, saying that the ban isn’t constitutional and does nothing to curb violence. Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a public health emergency on Friday, saying gun violence and drug use were a problem. The 30-day ban will give state officials time to deliberate on how to solve gun violence, she said. The order applies to Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, which is New Mexico’s most populous county. Several organizations, including the National Rifle Association, have filed lawsuits against Grisham. Two state representatives have called for Grisham’s impeachment over the order, saying it violates the Constitution.

What does this order entail? It bans open and concealed carry firearms in public. Owners of firearms can keep them on private property but cannot bring their firearms with them anywhere unless they are in a locked container.

Dig deeper: Read Daniel R. Suhr’s column in WORLD Opinions on the New Mexico ban.