What’s Happening:
Numerous pundits and Americans have come out against New Mexico Gov. Grisham’s unilateral gun carry ban. She signed an executive order issuing a 30-day ban on any resident from carrying a firearm, in areas of the state with high crime rates. The move, which did not include the state legislature, is being heavily criticized by many–including fellow Democrats.
THE GOVERNOR (IDOIT) SHOULD RE-READ THE OATH OF OFFICE … SO WHAT FOLLOWS IS THE OATH:
Oath Of Office
The Constitution of the State of New Mexico Article XX Section 1.(Oath of Officer.), reads, “Every person elected or appointed to any office shall, before entering upon his duties take and subscribe to an oath or affirmation that he will support the constitution of the United States and the constitution and laws of this state, and that he will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of his office to the best of his ability.”
OATH
I, , do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States
and the Constitution and the laws of the State of New Mexico and that I will faithfully and impartially
discharge the duties of on which I am about to
enter, to the best of my ability, SO HELP ME GOD.
__________________________________
SIGNATURE
Subscribed and sworn to before me on
(SEAL) this_________day of_______________,
20______.
________________________________________
SIGNATURE
________________________________________
TITLE
My commission/expires: ____________________
(This oath, when executed, must be forwarded immediately to the Secretary of State at Santa Fe, New Mexico, accompanied by a recording fee of $3.00)
But the governor has just hit a major roadblock in actually enforcing this decree. In order for this measure to actually work, it requires law enforcement and state prosecutors to hold residents accountable. Police would have to search citizens for concealed firearms and the AG would have to press charges. The governor’s own attorney general, Raul Torrez, just revealed to Grisham that he will not comply with her order.
From The Post Millennial:
In a letter sent to New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday, state Attorney General Raul Torrez said that his office would not be defending her administration in lawsuits related to her blocking the carrying of firearms…
“…I encourage you to engage in a more thoughtful and deliberate process with members of the New Mexico Legislature rather than taking unilateral action that infringes on the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens while having little if any discernable impact on the underlying dynamics driving gun violence in our community.”
Attorney General Raul Torrez (whom took the same oath) refused to enforce Gov. Grisham’s firearm carry ban, in a stunning rebuke of the Democrat’s policy. Torrez stated he will “not defend” the governor’s administration. Without the support of the attorney general’s office, it is unclear if the order will be followed at all.
AG Torrez claimed he “grieved with too many victims of gun violence” and supports efforts to reduce this “unacceptable toll.” But he accused the governor of overstepping her authority by infringing “on the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens.”
The attorney general urged Gov. Grisham to “engage in a more thoughtful and deliberate process” with the state legislature. This appears to be a strong criticism of the governor’s decision to issue this order, rather than seek support from New Mexico’s legislature.
He went on to say that this order deprives law-abiding citizens from “carry firearms in public for the purpose of self-defense.” This is a common criticism by gun owners of “gun free zone” laws. Torrez claimed the governor’s order was “inconsistent with Federal and State Constitutions.”
Torrez is not the first Democrat to criticize Grisham’s order. The governor has received significant pushback from state and national figures. It is likely that, unless the order is rescinded, the governor could face legal action–if not a response from the state legislature.
Key Takeaways:
- New Mexico’s attorney general is refusing to enforce the governor’s gun carry ban.
- Grisham issued a 30-day ban on citizens carrying guns in public.
- AG Torrez rebuked the governor for issuing this decree, without the cooperation of the state’s legislature.
Source: The Post Millennial
How New Mexico Gun Owners Defy Governor's 'Unconstitutional' Gun Ban
New Mexico gun shop owners say Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham overstepped her legal authority by temporarily suspending the right to carry firearms in public
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—Luke Saiz of Albuquerque, New Mexico, carries several firearms in his vehicle for personal safety, despite knowing he could face a stiff fine of up to $5,000 under a public health order by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
"Today, yeah, I carry a bunch of different ones," said Mr. Saiz, wearing glasses, a long beard, and hair tucked under a camouflage cap while holstering a Glock 9mm handgun by his waist.
He said it's his constitutional right to have these weapons despite the governor's order which suspended the right to carry firearms in public for 30 days last week in response to three shooting deaths involving children since July.
The governor said the deaths represent a public health emergency, which she believes gives her the authority to act unilaterally as governor.
Ms. Grisham added that she would violate her oath of office to reduce "gun violence" in New Mexico.
Grisham told media: “No constitutional right, in my view, including my oath, is intended to be absolute.”
"She has this concept that nothing is absolute. Her oath isn't absolute. That in itself is enough to be removed from office. To say an oath is not absolute is garbage," Mr. Saiz told The Epoch Times.
Sheriff, Attorney General Will 'Not Comply'
At least two Republican lawmakers in New Mexico have called for the governor to be impeached.
On Sept. 12, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez, a Democrat, announced he would not defend the governor against four lawsuits challenging her executive order.
"Though I recognize my statutory obligation as New Mexico's chief legal officer to defend state officials when they are sued in their official capacity," Mr. Torres wrote in the four-page letter to the governor, "my duty to uphold and defend the constitutional rights of every citizen takes precedence."
"Simply put, I do not believe that the Emergency Order will have any meaningful impact on public safety, but, more importantly, I do not believe it passed constitutional muster."
"She needs to bring back the death penalty. When they kill a small child or a police officer—bring back the death penalty and get rid of those types of people," Mr. Herrera told The Epoch Times.
The governor's executive order authorizes the Bernalillo County Regulation and Licensing Division to do monthly inspections of licensed firearms dealers to "ensure compliance with all sales and storage laws."
Arnold Gallegos, proprietor of ABQ Guns in Albuquerque and an officer in the Jemez Springs Police Department, believes the governor's executive order is "highly illegal" under the constitution.
Mr. Gallegos said the public backlash could spark defections within the state's powerful Democratic Party, with its predominately progressive ideology.
Mr. Saiz said the governor's executive action looks more like a "trial balloon" and an effort to consolidate more power, and considers the move politically risky.
"She is the first canary in the coal mine. And she is going to be ground up politically for it."
