On September 15, 2023, one week after issuing an order banning concealed and open carry in Albuquerque and other New Mexico cities, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) amended her order so that it applies only to city parks and playgrounds.
Grisham’s amendments to the order came two days after a Biden-appointed judge issued a temporary restraining order against her concealed carry ban.
On Friday, Grisham held a press conference to announce the changes to her order.
The Santa Fe New Mexican quoted Grisham saying, “We have removed the requirement that open and concealed carry cannot occur until the public health order has been removed or extended anywhere in the city.”
Grisham’s original order banning concealed and open carry in many New Mexico cities was slammed by gun control activist David Hogg.
The Bernalillo County District Attorney–who is over Albuquerque–made clear he would not enforce it, as did the Albuquerque police chief and the Bernalillo County Sheriff.
New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez (D) made clear he would not defend Grisham’s order in court.
KOB4 noted that Torrez wrote, “Given that only responsible gun owners are likely to abide, much less recognize your ban, it is unclear how this action will lead to a measurable decline in gun violence in our community … The data do not support the conclusion that gun violence in our community is attributable to otherwise law-abiding citizens exercising their constitutional right to carry firearms for protection outside the home.”
