Gun Mandate - Round 2

Category: Letters to Editor Letters to Editor
Published: 17 September 2023 17 September 2023

Editor-

I realize lawyers can be wordy, and sometimes tricky in the application of their trade. Or, so it may appear to the average individual, including myself.

Which seems to be the case in New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's gun control regulation, previously struck down by a federal judge, forbidding law abiding citizens from openly carrying or concealing, a private firearm in Albuquerque or Bernalillo County.

Since the judge found Ms. Grisham's original gun proclamation to be in violation of an individual's constitutional rights, it seems she simply redressed the executive order, and handed it over to her secretary of health, Mr. Patrick M. Allen.

On Sept. 15, 2023, Allen merely rewrote certain sections of the mandate to include state and public parks as areas forbidden to carry a legally owned firearm. (Grant County Beat, Sept. 15, 2023.)

This contorted logic is supposed to curb drug and gun violence in these locations. What next, no lawful concealed carry while stopped at a traffic light on a public road?

Who knows?

Except, these executive orders restrict lawful gun owners, while unlawful gun users will continue to proceed as usual.

Secondly, aren't some state and public parks within the county of Bernalillo? Didn't a judge recently decide lawful open and concealed gun carry is permissible for citizens of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County? Wouldn't this include the parks?

Thirdly, can a state government department official now decide what is lawful and what isn't? Particularly, is a state health department secretary now empowered to enact executive orders affecting the constitutional rights of private citizens? If so, where does this authority originate, and where in the U.S. Constitution can it be found?

This latest stunt may be headed back to the courts - again. Round 2, of a continuing saga of a governor determined to impose her will in spite of lacking proper authority.

Remember, she's publicly stated no constitutional provision, or her oath of office, is an absolute right.

If that's the case, what's the point in an oath of office ceremony if the words are meaningless?

It might be a good idea if Ms. Grisham took a refresher course on state and U.S. Constitutional law. She may actually discover the federal constitution is absolute, unless amended following a certain procedure. A state constitution is the same, since it must be in compliance, "pursuance," with the federal constitution.

Sometimes, a person's inflated ego bumps up against reality. Even a state governor isn't immune to the affliction.

Mike Bibb
Safford, AZ

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.