Alert! Open and Concealed Carry Laws Suspended in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for 30 Days (Video)

In this breaking news story on 8 September 2023, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham suspended open and concealed carry laws in Albuquerque and throughout Bernalillo County for the next 30 days (until 8 October 2023). The result of this action temporarily prohibits the carrying of guns on public property. Governor Grisham announceed the action during a Friday afternoon news conference.

https://youtu.be/S9oLOubipXc

Governor Grisham took the action of declaring gun violence a public health emergency on Thursday, 7 September 2023, following the death of an 11-year-old boy on his way home. This case combined with other violent cases involving children, sparked the decision.

The new public health order went into effect on Friday, 8 September 2023. After an initial 30 days period, the Governor will revaluate the situation.

An interesting aspect of this public health order is it does not provide authorities with any power to imprison people. The public health order only specifies that people who violate the order, “may be subject to civil administrative penalties”, which might include loss the individuals permit to carry a concealed firearm, although ‘concealed carry permits’ are not specifically mentioned.

Governor Grisham has stated when asked about enforement and resulting penalties that New Mexico authorities are most, “…likely dealing with misdemeanors”, offering no further details.

While the Governor’s public health order is a statewide mandate, only open and concealed carry privileges in communities with extremely high violent crime rates and fire-arm related emergency room visits are suspended. Only Albuquerque and Bernalillo County are currently impacted.

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Exceptions to this public health order include private property, licensed firearm dealers, firing ranges or shooting competitions, as long as the individuals store their guns in a locked container or safety box.

Law enforcement officers and/or licensed security officers are excluded from this public health order.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham expects to be challenged on this public health order, but has indicated her willingness for any legal battlest.

Also included in this public health order are requirements for monthly inspections of licensed firearm dealers and the testing of public school sewer wastewater testing for certain drugs, including fentanyl. It also directs the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department to immediately suspend the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative and to “evaluate juvenile probation protocols”.

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From a KOB4 news story, here are the key takeaways: 

• The Regulation and Licensing Division will conduct monthly inspections of licensed firearm dealers to ensure compliance with all sales and storage laws.
• The Department of Health, along with the Environment Department, will begin wastewater testing for illegal substances such as fentanyl at schools.
• The Department of Health will compile and issue a comprehensive report on gunshot victims presenting at hospitals in New Mexico, which shall include (if available): demographic data of gunshot victims, including age, gender, race, and ethnicity; data on gunshot victim’s healthcare outcomes; the brand and caliber of the firearm used; the general circumstances leading to the injury; the impact of gunshot victims on New Mexico’s healthcare system; and any other pertinent information.
• No firearms are allowed on state property, including state buildings and schools. This also includes other places of education where children gather, such as parks.
• New Mexico State Police will add officers in Albuquerque with funding for overtime provided.
• The Children, Youth and Families Department will immediately suspend the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative and evaluate juvenile probation protocols.