New Mexico sheriff vows not to enforce governor’s temporary gun ban

The county sheriff in Albuquerque has vowed not to enforce New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s (D) ban on firearms in the city, saying it likely violates the Second Amendment.

“It’s unconstitutional, so there’s no way we can enforce that order,” Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen said during a press conference Monday. “This ban does nothing to curb gun violence.”

Grisham used a public health emergency order Friday to outlaw the open and concealed carry of firearms in parts of the state that meet a threshold of violent crime — only Albuquerque meets that threshold. The order will last 30 days.

Allen, a Democrat, adds to a growing backlash against Grisham’s order. A Second Amendment rights group has already sued the state, claiming the order violates gun ownership rights.

The National Association for Gun Rights cited last year’s Supreme Court decision limiting New York gun reform in its suit.

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

Allen previously shared concerns about the order, and the Albuquerque Police Department also vowed not to enforce it.

Grisham has attracted criticism from multiple GOP presidential candidates, including Vivek Ramaswamy, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

“She’s not going to succeed here,” Christie said Tuesday. “This is so clearly and blatantly unconstitutional, I think it will be knocked down.” 

He added that Grisham should be “reprimanded” for the move.