Editor-

In what has to be a very questionable legal issue, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's 30-day suspension of lawful open and concealed carry of firearms in Albuquerque -- under the guise that gun violence has become a health issue -- doesn't pass the smell test.

Similar to many frivolous COVID mandates, restricting a citizen's constitutional right to carry a firearm because a small minority of individuals willfully create havoc and violence with a gun, makes about as much sense as telling an employee his job is not essential as the worker across the street in a big box store.

Through the brouhaha created by the COVID hysteria, some state governors have assumed they have the authority to enact select mandates and executive orders, and impose fines and penalties whenever they feel inclined to do so.

But, to declare a 30-day suspension of gun rights upon people of a particular community, or geographical location, because of firearms related shootings; while at the same time not equally applying the same edict upon the rest of the state citizenry, certainly appears to be a blatant violation of her office.

A governor is a member of the executive branch of government and can, under certain conditions, temporarily enact emergency decrees to speed relief efforts to people in distress -- snowstorms, closed highways, forest fires, droughts, floods, etc.

A governor is not a member of the legislative branch. Therefore, a governor cannot pass his/her own laws, particularly when it involves suspension of constitutional rights. If a governor had such authorization, there wouldn't be a need for a legislative branch.

If a governor tries this approach, no state or city official is obligated to comply with those mandates, regardless if the governor insist they do.

I would suggest if Governor Grisham is offended by Albuquerque's violence, she work with the New Mexico legislature and Albuquerque officials to get a handle on the situation. Since the issue seems to be primarily located in that city, it might be logical to arrest and jail the bad guys with guns, and leave the good guys with guns alone.

Even a liberal governor should be able to figure this out.

Maybe, I'm overly optimistic in giving too much credit to Ms. Grisham's thought process. She may conclude a bad guy with a gun is probably a victim of his individual circumstance, and has no option than to loot and shoot his/her way to survival.

Conversely, a good guy with a gun is portrayed as some kind of right-winged lunatic, intent upon protecting his family and property with a firearm -- if necessary.

Certainly, taking away a private citizen's gun rights -- even for 30-days -- is not a viable solution. Most certainly, any attempts to do so will inevitably create more problems.

If we've learned anything from the antics of certain politicians, they will push their assumed authority as far as they can until eventually stopped by the voters or the courts.

Apparently, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is no different.

Mike Bibb
Safford, AZ