Gov. Grisham Faces Lawsuit, Impeachment Effort Over Gun Ban

Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham took her anti-gun agenda too far for even other leftists last week when she issued a “public health order” that included a 30-day suspension of law allowing citizens in the Albuquerque area to carry firearms in public. 

The move came in the wake of a shooting that left an 11-year-old boy dead and, according to Grisham spokesperson Caroline Sweeney, could result in fines of up to $5,000 and other penalties for individuals violating the order. Although guns could still be transported to shooting ranges or gun stores under the terms of the order, they must be rendered unusable with a trigger lock at all times.

In addition to immediate backlash from pro-Second Amendment organizations, even some of the most adamantly anti-gun activists described her move as a constitutional overreach.

The National Association for Gun Rights announced over the weekend that it had launched a lawsuit against the governor on behalf of Albuquerque resident Foster Haines. The case is expected to be heard by the U.S. District Court in New Mexico, which the organization has asked to issue an injunction against the executive order.

According to the lawsuit: “The State must justify the Carry Prohibition by demonstrating that it is consistent with the Nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. But it is impossible for the State to meet this burden, because there is no such historical tradition of firearms regulation in this nation.”

Although Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen indicated that he is eager to find a solution to gun violence, he has serious misgivings about the governor’s order.

“While I understand and appreciate the urgency, the temporary ban challenges the foundation of our constitution, which I swore an oath to uphold,” he said. “I am wary of placing my deputies in positions that could lead to civil liability conflicts, as well as the potential risks posed by prohibiting law-abiding citizens from their constitutional right to self-defense.”

A pair of Republican state lawmakers have already announced an effort to impeach Grisham over her recent action. 

Calling her a “rogue governor,” Rep. Stefani Lord said: “She put this emergency order together and it violates her oath. And she’s supposed to be protecting and defending the rights of New Mexico, she can’t just raise her hand one day and say, ‘I promise to uphold this oath and promise to protect the people of New Mexico and the Constitution,’ and then just one day decide, oh, just kidding.”