New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, a second-term Democrat, unveiled a series of legislative proposals aimed at strengthening gun control and addressing violent crime. With the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to expand gun rights in 2022, the governor emphasized the need to navigate the complex landscape of constitutional law while prioritizing public safety.
Governor Lujan Grisham acknowledged the increasing complexity of constitutional questions surrounding gun violence and expressed a commitment to follow developments in other parts of the country. The proposed measures include a ban on guns at public parks and playgrounds, with felony penalties for violations. This expands on the governor’s ongoing declaration of a public health emergency related to gun violence and drug abuse.
However, the governor’s emergency orders, which suspend the right to carry firearms at parks and playgrounds in Albuquerque, are currently facing legal challenges from gun advocates in federal court. The state Supreme Court is also reviewing whether the governor exceeded her authority under state law.
Democratic lawmakers are pushing for additional gun control measures, such as a 14-day waiting period for background checks on gun purchases and raising the minimum age for purchasing semiautomatic rifles and shotguns to 21. State Representative Andrea Romero has proposed limitations on assault-style weapons to reduce the firing capacity and attachment of new magazines.
Beyond gun safety, a range of public safety bills sponsored mostly by Democrats have been introduced. These bills cover topics such as panhandling bans, retail theft provisions, and penalties for teachers and coaches who ignore hazing incidents. These proposals come in response to alleged locker-room assaults involving New Mexico State basketball players.
Opposition to the gun restrictions primarily comes from Republicans, who argue that these measures infringe on Second Amendment rights. The fate of the proposed gun restrictions may ultimately depend on a few Democratic lawmakers in regions of the state with a strong culture of gun ownership.
Republican Senate Leader Craig Baca of Belen criticized the anti-Second Amendment measures, stating that they target law-abiding gun owners who only seek to protect themselves and their families.
As New Mexico prepares for a 30-day legislative session starting Tuesday, Governor Lujan Grisham’s comprehensive approach to gun control and public safety is set to ignite intense debates among lawmakers and stakeholders. The outcome will shape the state’s response to the Supreme Court’s gun rights expansion and provide insights into the ongoing national discourse surrounding firearms regulation.
