New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s “emergency order” banning firearms from Albuquerque has produced some unexpected results. Gun shops in the region have reported a surge in sales since the order went into effect. This gives credence to the claims of many gun enthusiasts that anti-gunners are the best salesmen.
Several gun shop owners and employees have told reporters that sales increased while Lujan Grisham’s order was in place. After a backlash, she recently repealed the majority of the order and only applied it to some public parks and other areas.
The emergency order banning the carrying of guns in and around Albuquerque in New Mexico appears to have had the opposite effect, with some gun shops in the city reporting that the ban has resulted in an increase in sales.
Arnie Gallegos of ABQ Guns told The Epoch Times that today was his busiest day in months. I’ve had a lot of people come in who have never been to a gun store before and are concerned about their rights.
“Many people say, ‘I cannot rely on police anymore and I need to know how to protect myself’,” added Mr. Gallegos.
The ban on guns was intended to create a “cooling off period” of 30 days after a number of gun-related murders, which included the shooting of a girl aged 11 years old. Critics pointed out that the order was in violation of the Second Amendment, and would leave people more vulnerable to violent criminals. She replied by saying that constitutional rights are “not absolute.”
Her remarks sparked even more outrage, and state legislators called for her impeachment. New Mexicans staged a protest with their guns in defiance of this order.
Walt Bracken told reporters, “People are upset,” and “there’s an attitude that the governor doesn’t respect our rights.”
John Allen, Bernalillo County sheriff, announced shortly after the order had been put into place that he wouldn’t be enforcing it, arguing that this would put more people in harm’s way and violate the right to bear arms.
It is my job to maintain peace and ensure the safety of the residents of Bernalillo County. This order is not going to help me in my job. I’m a law enforcement professional. This order won’t do anything other than strip law-abiding citizens of their constitutional right to self-defense.
Lujan Grisham responded condescendingly to the sheriff by telling him to stop being “squeamish”.
The governor’s emergency order was not only criticized by the right. In a letter, Attorney General Raul Torez, a Democrat from the state, stated that he “did not believe that the Emergency Order will have any meaningful effect on public safety, but more importantly, that it would pass constitutional muster.”
While the governor has rescinded the majority of the order people remain suspicious about her motives as well as the anti-gunner elements. Gallegos said that such orders are “litmus test” to gauge the public’s reaction and how far they could push it. The message is clear. Don’t give up your freedoms for safety. You’ll get neither.
