New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has faced a great deal of controversy over her recent emergency order banning the carrying of firearms in public spaces across Bernalillo County. The order has been met with legal challenges from citizens and officials alike, with the most recent being a refusal by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez to defend the order in court.
Torrez, a far left Democrat, said in a letter to the governor that the order was unconstitutional and his office would not be further defending it. He joins a handful of other officials in the area in their refusal to enforce or defend the order, such as Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen.
“I am writing to inform you that my office will not defend your administration in the above referenced cases challenging” Lujan Grisham’s order, Torrez wrote.
“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, my duty to uphold and defend the constitutional rights of every citizen takes precedence,” his letter continued. “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 passes constitutional muster.”
This pretty much nullifies the ban, there is now nobody to enforce it or prosecute it.
Governor Lujan Grisham responded to criticism of her order, saying that it was her job to do what was right for the people of New Mexico and that she would not back down. This sentiment has been echoed by prominent national progressives, such as California Rep. Ted Lieu and gun control activist David Hogg. However, both have said that the Governor’s order violates the U.S. Constitution.
BREAKING: New Mexico Attorney General tells the Governor that he won’t defend her carry ban, saying “I do not believe it passes constitutional muster.” pic.twitter.com/ORat27wAvn
— Firearms Policy Coalition (@gunpolicy) September 12, 2023
So now Grisham is entirely on her own and a federal judge has temporarily stopped her ban.
