New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham will not renew a public health order that temporarily banned carrying firearms in public parks and playgrounds in Albuquerque. The order was put in place in September 2023 to combat gun violence in the area but faced backlash for violating Second Amendment rights. Despite claims of reducing gunfire incidents and thousands of firearms being collected through buyback programs, the order was seen as unconstitutional by many, including State Senate Republican leader Greg Baca.
The National Association for Gun Rights filed a lawsuit against the order, which was eventually dismissed after Lujan Grisham narrowed its scope. Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen, a Democrat, chose not to enforce the ban due to constitutional concerns.
The temporary order was prompted by the tragic shooting of an 11-year-old boy in an Albuquerque park. In addition to restricting firearms in public areas, it also increased oversight of firearm sales and implemented fentanyl testing in schools. State Attorney General Raúl Torrez, also a Democrat, opposed the order citing concerns about its effectiveness and constitutionality.
Overall, the decision to not renew the public health order has been seen as a win for gun owners and a recognition that the policy was ineffective in curbing gun violence. Critics continue to argue that the order was unconstitutional and a distraction from addressing the root causes of crime in the state.
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