2 New Mexico Republican lawmakers seek to impeach Democratic governor over gun restrictions
SANTA FE, N.M. — Two Republican lawmakers on Wednesday introduced a resolution seeking to initiate impeachment proceedings against Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham over her emergency public health measures suspending the right to carry firearms in some public places in greater Albuquerque such as parks and playgrounds.
The resolution from Reps. Stefani Lord of Sandia Park and John Block of Alamogordo accuses the governor of violating her oath of office to uphold the state and federal constitutions.
“The point is she has too much power,” said Lord, founder of the advocacy group Pro-Gun Women. “We’re just trying to say to her, ‘You have too much power, you’re acting like a dictator.’ …And we’re going to accuse you. ”
Block accused the governor of “violating the Constitution to make a political statement,” noting that Lujan Grisham said she expected legal challenges from the start.
Lujan Grisham spokesperson Maddy Hayden said in an email that the two sponsors of the resolution are more interested in political stunts than crafting meaningful legislation, citing their bills to criminalize necrophilia and grant sex offenders early release from prison to offer if they agree to chemical castration procedures.
“There is not much to say in direct response to this senseless attempt” at impeachment, Hayden said.
It is unclear whether the resolution, which outlines the articles of impeachment, will advance to public committee deliberations in the state House, where Democrats outnumber Republicans 45 to 25.
Lujan Grisham, a second-term Democrat, invoked the emergency regulations last year in response to a wave of gun violence, including the fatal shooting of an 11-year-old boy outside a minor league baseball stadium.
Gun rights advocates have legally challenged the orders and are urging the New Mexico Supreme Court to block them. The court recently heard oral arguments in the lawsuit filed by Republican state lawmakers, the National Rifle Association and several Albuquerque-area residents, including retired law enforcement officers, former federal agents, licensed firearms instructors and a gun shop owner.
In the federal court system, a judge has allowed enforcement of the gun provision to continue while legal challenges continue.
New Mexico lawmakers convened Tuesday for a 30-day session and were able to take up a wide range of the governor’s gun proposals aimed at reducing gun violence, including a permanent ban on firearms in public parks and playgrounds statewide.