By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed four pieces of legislation this week including two gun control bills—described as “public safety measures” by Politico—passed by the Democrat-controlled Legislature during its tight 30-day session this winter, including one bill that mandates a seven-day waiting period on gun purchases.
The waiting period bill, House Bill 129, contains exemptions for federally-licensed firearms dealers and citizens with active New Mexico concealed carry licenses. Grisham, a Democrat, also signed a bill prohibiting firearms within 100 feet of a polling place or ballot drop box location. Senate Bill 5 also contains an exemption for citizens who possess a state carry license.
The gun control push came weeks after the governor unilaterally tried to suspend the Second Amendment right to bear arms in Albuquerque and surrounding Bernalillo County last year. Federal lawsuits were quickly filed by several groups including the Second Amendment Foundation
According to UPI, Grisham’s office released a prepared statement in which she maintained, “This legislation strikes at the heart of issues that are keeping New Mexicans up at night. We are losing far too many lives when guns get into the wrong hands and violent criminals are allowed to recommit again and again. This legislation addresses both.”Democrat Rep. Andrea Romero made the familiar argument about the waiting period bill that, “We are taking a commonsense step to save lives and make communities safer across New Mexico. This 7-day cooling-off period will help prevent impulsive acts of violence and self-harm and give law enforcement the time they need to complete necessary background checks to keep New Mexicans safe.”
Likewise, referring to the polling place ban, Democrat Sen. Peter Wirth asserted, “Guns and voting are a toxic mix. As elections have become known targets for threats and intimidation, it’s important we are enacting this legislation ahead of the upcoming election cycle.”
But Republican House Minority Leader Rep. Ryan Lane fired back with a statement of his own.
“We should discuss and debate other measures that can help reduce crime while respecting our Second Amendment rights,” Lane said. “These might include improving mental health services, bolstering community policing, bail reform, strengthening penalties for the criminal misuse of firearms, or enhancing gun safety education.”
