New Mexico

A situation is developing in New Mexico. The governor there has declared by executive order that no one can carry a weapon, concealed or open, despite having permits or whatever else state law has to say on the matter. You can read the executive order here. (pdf alert) As predicted, she is using her new found COVID executive powers from 2020 to declare a “health emergency” by noting that NM has seen an increase in violent crimes that is double the national average, while completely ignoring that this is due to the illegals flooding the state from the border that has been opened by her own political party’s lack of border enforcement.

The order only applies to public property like roads, sidewalks, and parks. Police and licensed security guards are exempt from the ban, because of course they are. Under the order, residents still can transport guns to some private locations, such as a gun range or gun store, provided the firearm has a trigger lock or some other container or mechanism making it impossible to discharge, which is in direct opposition of Supreme Court decisions.

When the press inquired as to the order’s constitutionality, she said her duty to uphold the constitution, as well as the constitution itself, is “not absolute.”

Some local police and sheriffs are refusing to enforce the order because it raises too many questions about constitutional rights.