My resolution to condemn the New Mexico Governor's egregious order to strip away the Second Amendment right from Americans. Weekly Column - September 20, 2023 Constitutional Rights Are Absolute In New Mexico, American citizens' Constitutional rights are being infringed upon. On September 8th, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an "emergency public health" order, suspending the Second Amendment right to bear arms throughout the city of Albuquerque and its surrounding county, and violators of this order may face civil penalties and fines up to $5,000. This order is a direct attack on our Second Amendment rights, and that is unacceptable. Constitutional amendments form the bedrock of our nation, meticulously designed by the Founding Fathers to serve as the rule of the land. They were never intended to be altered to align with the whims of our elected officials—they were meant to remain absolute. When Governor Grisham took her oath of office, she swore to “support the constitution of the United States and the constitution of the state of [New Mexico].” By denying the citizens of New Mexico their Second Amendment right, she has reneged upon that oath. Every American should be concerned by this subversion of her duty to uphold the laws of our nation. If our elected officials can selectively choose which inalienable rights to uphold, what does our nation stand for? If we look at cities across the nation, residents are being terrorized by violent criminals. 71% of urban-area gun owners cite protection as their primary reason for owning a firearm. The Metro Albuquerque area is no different. There, homicides have occurred at a disturbing, record-setting pace. In 2022, a new record was set as 120 people lost their lives, and this year has already seen 76 victims of violent crime. If this trajectory continues, 2023 is poised to surpass last year’s record. And how did Governor Grisham respond to this alarming trend? Removing private citizens’ protection. Governor Grisham has even admitted that her ban would not deter criminals; rather, it’s intended to send a “resounding message.” Unfortunately, the resounding message residents received is that their governor is not prioritizing their safety or protecting their freedoms. We know criminals will not adhere to the law or this order, which leaves law-abiding citizens stripped of their ability to protect themselves against the very people this order was meant to stop. As a staunch supporter of the Constitution and the right to bear arms, I introduced House Resolution 684, Condemning the Actions of the Governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, which is expected to be brought to the House of Representatives floor this week for a vote. This resolution formally denounces the Governor’s unconstitutional order and calls on her to rescind it immediately. Governor Grisham may not like it, but the right of Americans to bear arms is safeguarded by the Constitution, an oath she and every federal lawmaker is sworn to uphold. I am deeply troubled by her actions, and I introduced this House Resolution to send a clear message: attacking our freedom is unacceptable, and I will forever uphold the Constitution. View on My Website ‌ ‌ ‌ newhouse.house.gov Congressman Dan Newhouse | 504 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]