Quote:In a scathing Albuquerque Journal editorial, the newspaper’s editorial board pulled no punches in its assessment of New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s recent decisions. The article begins with a nod to Kenny Rogers’ timeless advice about knowing when to fold, an allusion that sets the stage for a blistering critique of the governor’s approach to crime and her controversial gun ban.


The governor’s unilateral decision on September 8th to impose a wide-ranging gun ban across Bernalillo County initially sparked controversy, with New Mexicans rightly decrying it as a flagrant violation of Second Amendment rights. In response to the national backlash and a federal judge’s restraining order, Gov. Lujan Grisham revised her public health order to limit the gun ban’s scope to “public parks and playgrounds” in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County — still a violation of Second Amendment rights.

However, the Albuquerque Journal editorial board argues that this move was too little, too late. They point out that the governor’s decision to backtrack came only after widespread opposition and legal challenges, questioning her original intent and decision-making process.

One of the op-ed’s key points is the governor’s failure to address the pressing issue of rising crime rates in the state. The editorial board highlights that, during the 2023 legislative session, Democratic majorities in the state House and Senate rejected numerous crime-fighting proposals, many of which had bipartisan support. These proposals aimed to enhance public safety by addressing issues like pretrial detention, bail conditions, and sentencing for violent offenders.


The board criticizes the governor’s reluctance to call a special legislative session to address these urgent concerns, even as House Republicans called for action on the crime bills that had been shot down during the regular session. They argue that Gov. Lujan Grisham’s inaction raises questions about her commitment to combatting crime effectively and her ability to lead bipartisan efforts to address the issue.

The op-ed contends that the governor’s preference for going it alone, as seen in her handling of the gun ban and other matters, undermines her credibility and effectiveness. It suggests that Gov. Lujan Grisham is too partisan, self-absorbed, and politically ambitious to engage in the kind of bipartisan problem-solving that New Mexico needs.

“Lujan Grisham can’t be relied upon to lead a crime-fighting effort. She’s too partisan, too unpopular with state lawmakers, too self-absorbed, too interested in scoring political points, too discredited now on the national stage after her unconstitutional overreach, and too politically ambitious on a national level to shape solid bipartisan solutions that could really make a difference here in New Mexico,” wrote the board.

The editorial concludes with a call to action for lawmakers from both parties to convene an extraordinary session on crime, even if the governor is not on board. The editorial board questions whether legislators have the will to fulfill their responsibilities and override any potential veto by the governor in the next regular session.

The Journal piece also highlights the growing dissent from law enforcement officials, with several sheriffs and a district attorney publicly expressing their unwillingness to enforce or support the gun ban. This added layer of opposition, including skepticism from a CNN interview, underscores the widespread concerns surrounding the governor’s decisions.

In a state grappling with escalating crime rates and constitutional debates, the Albuquerque Journal’s editorial serves as a powerful critique of Gov. Lujan Grisham’s leadership and decision-making, challenging her to reconsider her approach and engage with lawmakers to address the pressing issue of crime in New Mexico.

Here's the Full Editorial Article:

Quote:As the old song goes, “You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away, and know when to run.”

It would behoove Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to recall the lyrics of that Kenny Rogers classic. Instead, the 1987 University of New Mexico law school graduate on Friday only partially folded her hand on a gun ban she insists isn’t really a ban at all, just a “temporary pause” on Second Amendment rights.

Following her unilateral diktat on Sept. 8 to ban all citizens — except for police and licensed security guards — from carrying firearms anywhere in Bernallio County for 30 days, the governor announced a revised public health order on Friday . Lujan Grisham said the amended gun ban will now only apply to “public parks and playgrounds” in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County.

The governor’s withdrawal of the wider ban comes after a national backlash and after U.S. District Judge David Urias sided with Second Amendment rights supporters on Wednesday and issued a temporary restraining order preventing the enforcement of the wider gun ban.

It’s worth noting that Democratic majorities in the state House and Senate rejected numerous proposals to fight crime in the 2023 session. House Republicans on Friday issued a call for action on 10 crime bills that were introduced in the recent session by House Republicans, but which were killed by Democratic lawmakers, even though some of those bills had bipartisan support.

House Bill 509 would have provided a clear process for presenting cases when the defendant should be detained prior to trial. The pretrial detention presumption was killed in its first committee.

House Joint Resolution 9 would have allowed the Legislature to set conditions under which defendants may be denied bail. It was killed in its second committee.

House Bill 58 would have added 12 additional violent offenses to the list of qualifying charges for New Mexico’s 3 Strikes Law. It was killed in its first committee.

House Bill 59 would have made the unlawful carrying of a firearm while trafficking a controlled substance a third-degree felony. It was killed in its first committee.

House Bill 60 would have created a sentencing enhancement for fentanyl possession: three years for 24-49 pills, five years for 50-74 pills, and seven years for greater than 75 pills. It was killed in its first committee.

House Bill 61 would have increased the sentence for a felon being in possession of a firearm from three years to six years, and up to six years if the felony offense constituted a violent offense. It was killed in its first committee.

House Bill 155 would have made the crime of aggravated battery against a peace officer a second-degree felony — punishable by nine years and up to $10,000 fine — instead of a third-degree felony punishable by three years in prison and a $5,000 fine, if the battery inflicts great bodily harm or is done with a deadly weapon or in any way that inflicts great bodily harm or death. It passed the House by a 61-0 vote, but died in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

House Bill 341 would have required courts to determine if a criminal may require drug, alcohol, or mental health treatment, and order the defendant to seek that treatment. It died in the House Health & Human Services Committee.

House Bill 458 would have increased the penalty for a felon in possession of a firearm or destructive device from three years imprisonment to five years imprisonment, and seven years for a violent felon. It never got a hearing.

House Bill 485 would have enhanced penalties for sexual exploitation of children. It was killed in its first committee.

House Republicans on Friday called on the governor to immediately convene a special session to address crime.

“Our caucus has been fighting to address this growing crisis only to be ignored by Democrats in the Legislature,” said House Minority Floor Leader Ryan Lane, R-Aztec. “If Democrats are truly serious about crime, then let’s come back to Santa Fe and quickly pass these bills.”

But in true form, Lujan Grisham said Friday she has no plans yet to call a special session on crime.

“That has been requested by a couple of folks,” the governor said in answer to a question at Friday’s news conference. “A special session, any session, is warranted when we need an immediate answer in a special (session) that’s going to change the status quo.”

So, violent crime is bad enough to abuse public health powers and ban guns, but not serious enough to involve lawmakers. The governor continues to prefer to go it alone.

House Republicans said they are prepared to circulate a petition to convene an extraordinary session on crime. Lawmakers from both parties should sign that petition and convene an extraordinary session, whether the governor is on board or not.

Lujan Grisham can’t be relied upon to lead a crime-fighting effort. She’s too partisan, too unpopular with state lawmakers, too self-absorbed, too interested in scoring political points, too discredited now on the national stage after her unconstitutional overreach, and too politically ambitious on a national level to shape solid bipartisan solutions that could really make a difference here in New Mexico.

Lawmakers need to take the lead and actually earn the salaries they whine about not making. They have the authority to call an extraordinary session, pass meaningful crime legislation, and override any veto of the governor in the next regular session.

But do they have the will?

After all, there’s really no need for a New Mexico House of Representatives or Senate — salaried or unsalaried — if lawmakers are acquiescent to the governor and generally feckless.

Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen said he wouldn’t enforce the governor’s gun ban. District Attorney Sam Bregman said he wouldn’t prosecute any cases resulting from it. Attorney General Raùl Torrez told the governor his office wouldn’t defend any of the lawsuits challenging the gun ban. Chaves County Sheriff Mike Herrington said he wouldn’t enforce it if it applied in his jurisdiction. Even CNN was dubious of the governor’s gun ban during an interview with her Tuesday.

Going it alone may seem like the easiest path for the governor — whether it be the coronavirus pandemic, CYFD reform, upending standardized testing in schools, spending more than $1 billion in federal pandemic funds, electric vehicle mandates or banning guns. But when you go it alone, there’s no one behind you. Not even CNN.

Another great example of why libs can never be in charge of anything.

The op-Ed lists all of the bills that were not passed. All of which would only take affect AFTER a crime is committed vs something that might prevent the crime.

(09-19-2023 01:38 PM)Mr_XcentricK Wrote:  The op-Ed lists all of the bills that were not passed. All of which would only take affect AFTER a crime is committed vs something that might prevent the crime.

If you look at statistics, most crimes are being committed by people already charged with other crimes.

Atlanta paper did a study a few years back even before things got out of control and some small number, maybe 50 criminals, all with 10 or more charges outstanding, committed 80% of the crimes.

(09-19-2023 03:35 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(09-19-2023 01:38 PM)Mr_XcentricK Wrote:  The op-Ed lists all of the bills that were not passed. All of which would only take affect AFTER a crime is committed vs something that might prevent the crime.

If you look at statistics, most crimes are being committed by people already charged with other crimes.

Atlanta paper did a study a few years back even before things got out of control and some small number, maybe 50 criminals, all with 10 or more charges outstanding, committed 80% of the crimes.

Wasn't there a stat earlier this year that of 750+ daylight robberies in NYC, they were committed by 31 people? Something like that.

(09-19-2023 08:19 PM)TripleA Wrote:  

(09-19-2023 03:35 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(09-19-2023 01:38 PM)Mr_XcentricK Wrote:  The op-Ed lists all of the bills that were not passed. All of which would only take affect AFTER a crime is committed vs something that might prevent the crime.

If you look at statistics, most crimes are being committed by people already charged with other crimes.

Atlanta paper did a study a few years back even before things got out of control and some small number, maybe 50 criminals, all with 10 or more charges outstanding, committed 80% of the crimes.

Wasn't there a stat earlier this year that of 750+ daylight robberies in NYC, they were committed by 31 people? Something like that.

Mass shooters typically do not have records.