Days after New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham enacted a temporary gun ban in Albuquerque and throughout the rest of Bernalillo County, local sheriff John Allen said his police department will not enforce the “unconstitutional” order.
“There’s no way we can enforce that order. This ban does nothing to curb gun violence,” Allen said at a Monday press conference.
“We must always remember not only are we protecting the Second Amendment, but at the same time, we have a lot of violence within our community. Let me be clear, I hold my standards high, and I do not or never will hedge on what is right,” he added.
The sheriff condemned Grisham’s 30-day public health emergency order banning the concealed and open carry of firearms, which was signed on Friday, and pledged to ensure public safety while upholding the constitutional rights of citizens.
The order was enacted following the death of an eleven-year-old child, who was shot outside a baseball game in Albuquerque on Wednesday, and other recent shootings in the state.
“When New Mexicans are afraid to be in crowds, to take their kids to school, to leave a baseball game — when their very right to exist is threatened by the prospect of violence at every turn — something is very wrong,” Grisham said in an official statement announcing the 30-day prohibition, exempting police officers and licensed security guards.
Despite standing beside Grisham during the announcement, Allen told reporters this week he first heard of the policy minutes before it was implemented and added he sharply disagreed with it. Grisham “knew we as law enforcement did not agree with the order, and as a result, this was solely her decision,” he said.
Following the sheriff’s public disapproval of the temporary law, the governor told him to “stop being squeamish” about enforcing it.
“I don’t need a lecture on constitutionality from Sheriff Allen: what I need is action,” Grisham responded to Allen’s comments. “What we need is for leaders to stand up for the victims of violent crime. We need law enforcement, district attorneys, public officials, school leaders and state agencies to use every single tool at their disposal to stop this violence. Period.
“We’ve given you the tools, Sheriff Allen — now stop being squeamish about using them,” she added. “I will not back down from doing what’s right and I will always put the safety of the people of New Mexico first.”
Those who disobey the order could face civil penalties and a fine of up to $5,000, the governor’s spokeswoman Caroline Sweeney told the Associated Press.
Grisham charged state police to enforce the order, but she noted not all law enforcement officials nor the Albuquerque district attorney approve of it.