The Democratic governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, claims that she can temporarily modify certain aspects of the U.S. Constitution using the authority vested in her during a formally declared public health emergency.
Governor Grisham drew widespread national attention and criticism for suspending the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners in the state on Friday.
The order takes effect immediately. It states “no person, other than a law enforcement officer or licensed security officer, shall possess a firearm … either openly or concealed, within cities or counties averaging 1,000 or more violent crimes per 100,000 residents per year since 2021.”
Bewildered reporters sought clarification from the governor on how she could justify the arrest of a citizen who was legally carrying a concealed weapon while walking down the street.
“I can make the point that maybe they should be (arrested),” the governor said.
“If there’s an emergency, and i’ve declared an emergency…I can invoke additional powers,” the governor declared. “No constitutional right in my view, including my oath, is intended to be absolute.”
Albuquerque city councilman Dan Lewis called on the governor to rescind the order.
“If the governor does not rescind this order, I’m calling on law enforcement to follow the constitution and not unconstitutional edicts from a wannabe dictator,” Lewis told the Santa Fe New Mexican. “Law enforcement officers took an oath to defend the constitution.”
Two New Mexico lawmakers have already called for the governor to be impeached and removed from office.
“I am calling on counsel to begin the impeachment process against Governor Grisham,” State Rep. Stefani Lord said. “This is an abhorrent attempt at imposing a radical, progressive agenda on an unwilling populous. Rather than addressing crime at its core, Governor Grisham is restricting the rights of law-abiding gun owners. Even Grisham believes this emergency order won’t prohibit criminals from carrying or using weapons; a basic admission that this will only put New Mexicans in danger as they won’t be able to defend themselves from violent crime.”
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves accused the governor of infringing on the rights of law-abiding Americans.
“Across the nation, Democrat governors are infringing on law-abiding Americans’ God-given Second Amendment rights,” Reeves said. “It’s yet another power grab to appease the radical, far-left wing of their party. To them, the U.S. Constitution is nothing more than just a piece of paper.”
