On Monday Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen said his office will not enforce the emergency order by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) to temporarily suspend the right to carry firearms in public in and around Albuquerque. Sheriff Allen also called for a special legislative session to address the matter, saying, “It’s unconstitutional, so there’s no way we can enforce that order. This ban does nothing to curb gun violence.” Also pledging not to enforce the ban were Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and Police Chief Harold Medina. Within 24 hours of Grisham’s ban, a gun rights group filed a federal lawsuit seeking an immediate court order to block the measure from taking effect. Sheriff Allen said, “The temporary ban challenges the foundations of our Constitution, but most importantly, it is unconstitutional. My oath was to protect the Constitution, and that is what I will do.”
