U.S. Judge Upholds Suspension of Right to Carry Guns in New Mexico Parks
A U.S. federal judge ruled in favor of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s temporary suspension of the right to carry guns in parks and playgrounds in parts of New Mexico, citing the government’s interest in protecting vulnerable populations.
A U.S. District Court Judge declined to block the governor’s suspension, stating that the government has a responsibility to safeguard sensitive places such as playgrounds, particularly for children.
Despite criticism and legal challenges, Judge David Herrera Urias denied the motion for a preliminary injunction, allowing the suspension to remain in effect.
In response to gun violence, including the tragic death of an 11-year-old boy in a road rage incident, Governor Lujan Grisham initially implemented a blanket suspension on carrying guns in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. However, her order was later modified to only restrict guns at public parks and playgrounds in the area.
Gun rights groups and some gun owners have filed lawsuits to overturn this scaled-back version, arguing that it infringes on their Second Amendment rights.
The governor’s spokesperson has not yet commented on the ruling.
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller previously urged Lujan Grisham to convene a special session of the state legislature to address gun violence. However, the governor believes that her public health order, which includes measures on drugs and juvenile offenders, will have a greater impact than new legislation.
