Condemning the actions of Governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, for subverting the Second Amendment to the Constitution and depriving the citizens of New Mexico of their right to bear arms.
The resolution illustrates the tension between state authority and federal constitutional rights. By categorically condemning the governor's actions, the resolution not only affirms the Second Amendment but also raises potential repercussions for state laws concerning firearm regulations. It emphasizes the viewpoint that any attempt by local authorities to suspend constitutional rights, such as the right to bear arms, is unacceptable and warrants a strong response at the federal level.
House Resolution 684 condemns the actions of New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for issuing an emergency public health order that suspended the right of citizens to open and conceal carry firearms for at least 30 days. This emergency order, enacted on September 8, 2023, threatened civil penalties of up to $5,000 for those who violated the order, directly impacting citizens' Second Amendment rights. The resolution highlights concerns about the limits on constitutional rights imposed by the state government and calls for accountability.
The resolution refers to prior judicial decisions that affirm the rights conferred by the Second Amendment, including notable cases like District of Columbia v. Heller and McDonald v. City of Chicago. These cases reaffirm that self-defense and the right to bear arms are fundamental rights in American law. Despite this, the emergency order issued by Governor Lujan Grisham faced criticism from legal experts, including the New Mexico Attorney General, who stated the order violates constitutional protections. The resolution expresses a collective disapproval of local measures perceived as undermining these guaranteed rights.