A U.S. District Judge in Albuquerque, New Mexico, David Urias, has temporarily halted specific elements of an executive order by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. This order had put a pause on both open and concealed carry in Albuquerque and neighboring Bernalillo County for a minimum of 30 days.
On Wednesday, Judge Urias stopped the part of the order that prevented legitimate gun owners from publicly carrying their firearms for the 30-day period, stating that it couldn’t be put into action.
During the proceedings, Urias remarked, “Any infringement on a constitutional right, even briefly, undeniably results in irreparable harm.”
The current halt will stay in place at least until Oct. 3, the date set for the upcoming hearing.
Following recent firearms-related fatalities, including the tragic death of an 11-year-old near a minor league baseball stadium, Governor Lujan Grisham expressed the need to act. Her executive order saw opposition in the form of six separate lawsuits.
It’s notable that Judge Urias was nominated by President Biden.
In her comments about the temporary halt, Lujan Grisham stated her dedication to challenging the existing conditions. She mentioned, “Though a judge has put a temporary pause on parts of our health order, there’s recognition of the grave concern of firearm-related violence in our state, especially impacting children.” She emphasized her commitment as the governor to continually advocate for measures that prevent such heartbreaking incidents.
Lujan Grisham further said, “Recently, I’ve observed a heightened focus on tackling the gun violence issue compared to the last four years. It’s imperative to have a defined goal: ensuring the safety of New Mexicans in their daily lives, whether it’s their journey home from school or their visits to local establishments.” She urged officials at all levels to collaborate in finding effective solutions rather than remaining passive.
The governor also indicated that her team is gearing up to introduce more measures to bolster public health and safety. The initial suspension of firearm carry rights in the mentioned regions was deemed an urgent health directive.
