The Democrat Governor of New Mexico, Lujan Grisham, just signed an executive order banning concealed carry for self-defense in cities across a swathe of New Mexico, citing a supposed “emergency” of “gun violence” in the cities. She claimed, when asked, that constitutional rights violation is allowed if there is an “emergency.”
As background, Gov. Grisham’s executive order was signed on the 7th of September and went into operation on the 8th. It is to last for at least 30 days, at which point she will decide whether or not to keep it in operation. The executive order forbids the concealed or open carrying of weapons, even for those with concealed carry licenses, in the city of Albuquerque and the surrounding county.
During a news conference, Gov. Grisham was pressed about the executive order, with an individual asking, “Isn’t it unconstitutional to say you cannot exercise your carry license?” Responding, she claimed that restricting rights is allowed if there is an “emergency,” saying, “With one exception. And that is, if there’s an emergency, and I’ve declared an emergency for a temporary amount of time, I can invoke additional powers, no constitutional right, in my view, including my oath is intended to be absolute.”
Giving supposed examples of placing limits on constitutional rights being acceptable, she said, “There are restrictions on free speech, there are restrictions on my freedoms in this emergency, this 11 year old, and all these parents who have lost all these children, they deserve my attention to have the debate about whether or not in an emergency, we can create a safer environment, because what about their constitutional rights? I took an oath to uphold those two. And if we ignore this growing problem without being bold, I’ve said to every other New Mexican, your rights are subrogated to theirs. And they are not in my view.”
When asked why the executive order is necessary if shooting people in situations other than self-defense is already a crime, she snapped back, “Again, if I’m unsafe, who’s standing up for that? Right? If this climate is so out of control, somebody should do something. I’m doing as much as I know to do.”
TPUSA personality and conservative Twitter commentator Benny Johnson posted about the speech on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “The Governor of New Mexico has just declared the 1st & 2nd Amendment “does not exist” due to an ’emergency.’ Under this legal theory *all* of our “rights” are essentially eliminated. Watch the most evil & tyrannical 60 seconds you’ve ever heard from a politician.”
The tweet went so viral that Elon Musk commented on it and called for the removal of Gov. Grisham as soon as possible, saying, “At risk of stating what should be obvious, deliberately violating the Constitution is next-level illegal. How soon can this person be removed from office?”
Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen indicated he is concerned the order violates New Mexicans’ constitutional rights, saying, “Today, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an emergency order temporarily suspending open and concealed carry laws in Albuquerque and throughout Bernalillo County for the next 30 days. This move has been positioned as a response to the alarming and tragic rise in gun violence, particularly the heart-wrenching death of an 11-year-old boy this past week. First and foremost, every lost life is a tragedy, and the well-being of our community is of paramount concern to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. We share in the collective grief and urgency to address this issue. However, as the elected Sheriff, I have reservations regarding this order. While I understand and appreciate the urgency, the temporary ban challenges the foundation of our Constitution, which I swore an oath to uphold. I am wary of placing my deputies in positions that could lead to civil liability conflicts, as well as the potential risks posed by prohibiting law-abiding citizens from their constitutional right to self-defense. I was elected to represent and safeguard all constituents and to ensure the balance between our rights and public safety is maintained. That means we must critically evaluate any proposed solution to the deeply rooted issue of gun violence, ensuring we both protect our community and uphold the values that define us as a nation.”
Watch the press conference here:
The Governor of New Mexico has just declared the 1st & 2nd Amendment “does not exist” due to an “emergency.”
Under this legal theory *all* of our “rights” are essentially eliminated.
Watch the most evil & tyrannical 60 seconds you’ve ever heard from a politician: pic.twitter.com/xLpMSTbyi2
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 9, 2023
Similarly, NM Rep. John Block called for the impeachment and removal of Gov. Grisham, posting, “Impeach and remove Lujan Grisham. We even have Elon behind us on this!”
Today, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an emergency order temporarily suspending open and concealed carry laws in Albuquerque and throughout Bernalillo County for the next 30 days. This move has been positioned as a response to the alarming and tragic rise in gun violence,… pic.twitter.com/prfHGdISS1
— BCSO (Sheriff) NM (@BCSONM) September 9, 2023
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video
"*" indicates required fields