Protesters in Albuquerque Rally Against Governor’s Temporary Gun Suspension
Over 100 demonstrators, armed and vocal, gathered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Sunday to oppose Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s recent suspension of gun rights under an emergency health order. The suspension was triggered by a series of tragic shootings, including the recent killing of an 11-year-old boy.
Derek J., a gun owner, expressed his concerns: “My jaw dropped for a Second Amendment to be suspended. It’s, it’s unconstitutional, we gotta put it that way. A lot of people here feel the same way.”
The protesters, located in the city’s Old Town area, waved American flags and chanted slogans like “We will not comply!” Fortunately, the event remained peaceful and concluded by 3 p.m.
One protester, Jonathan Olivas, emphasized the importance of voicing the people’s concerns: “Why I’m here is the people’s voice needs to be heard, those on the ground, those dealing with these situations need to be heard.”
Lujan Grisham’s executive order suspended open and concealed carry laws in Bernalillo County for a minimum of 30 days. The governor defended her decision, citing growing concerns about violence in public spaces: “When New Mexicans are afraid to be in crowds, to take their kids to school, to leave a baseball game — when their very right to exist is threatened by the prospect of violence at every turn — something is very wrong.”
However, her comments about constitutional rights being non-absolute stirred controversy. She argued that no constitutional right should be considered absolute, drawing further criticism from Second Amendment advocates.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) called her order “shocking” and accused her of undermining fundamental rights. Republican lawmakers, like Representative Stefani Lord, also joined the protest, and Lord stated that she and her colleagues planned to push for the governor’s impeachment due to what they deemed an illegal act and a violation of her oath.
State police, responsible for enforcing the gun order, did not issue any citations during the protest. Notably, some law enforcement officials, including Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina and Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, have publicly stated their reluctance to enforce the order.
Despite the order, protesters have indicated their intention to continue carrying firearms. The debate over gun rights in New Mexico continues as citizens and officials clash over the balance between safety and constitutional rights.