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| New Mexico public health order’s gun ban not ‘a threat to Constitution,’ says archbishop |
In a bold statement, Archbishop John Wester of Santa Fe has expressed his support for New Mexico's temporary ban on openly carrying firearms in and around Albuquerque, stating that it is not "a threat to the Constitution." This move comes in response to the alarming rise in gun violence and mass shootings in the state, prompting Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to take action.
On September 7, Governor Lujan Grisham signed executive order 2023-130, officially declaring a state of public health emergency due to gun violence. This order is set to remain in effect until October 6 and is supported by alarming statistics that reveal a 45% increase in gun deaths from 2009 to 2018, along with a rising number of mass shootings. The governor also emphasized the grim fact that gun violence is now the leading cause of death among children in the state, with three young lives lost in recent weeks.
The day following this declaration, Governor Lujan Grisham unveiled a comprehensive public health order aimed at addressing the issue of gun violence statewide, alongside a plan to combat the rising fatalities caused by the synthetic opioid fentanyl.
One of the key components of this plan is the suspension of concealed and open carrying of firearms in Albuquerque and the surrounding Bernalillo County for a duration of 30 days.
Unsurprisingly, these measures have ignited a passionate debate, with gun rights advocates and fellow lawmakers challenging their constitutionality. Prominent among these critics are New Mexico state representatives John Block and Stefani Lord, both Republicans, who have gone so far as to call for the impeachment of the Democratic governor.
The National Association for Gun Rights has escalated the opposition by filing a lawsuit against Governor Lujan Grisham and New Mexico Secretary of Health Patrick Allen. Their suit seeks a temporary restraining order and the subsequent granting of a preliminary and permanent injunction. It is anticipated that New Mexico Republicans will follow suit with a similar legal challenge.
However, it's important to note that Governor Lujan Grisham's actions have not only garnered criticism from gun rights advocates but also faced opposition from some gun control advocates. March for Our Lives co-founder David Hogg, himself a survivor of the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida, voiced his concerns on social media, stating, "I support gun safety, but there is no such thing as a state public health emergency exception to the U.S. Constitution," echoing the sentiments of Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu of California.
In contrast to the heated debate, Archbishop John Wester has emerged as a voice of reason and support for the governor's actions. Wester asserts that Governor Lujan Grisham has consistently worked towards gun safety through legislation and is not targeting the Second Amendment. He believes that she is attempting to address the crisis of gun violence that has plagued the state for years.
Wester emphasizes that the primary focus should be on the sanctity of human life. He passionately calls for greater attention to the tragic incidents involving innocent victims of gun violence, such as the recent case of eleven-year-old Froylan Villegas, who lost his life in a road rage incident on September 6 near Isotopes Park. In the attack, a staggering 17 bullets were fired, also injuring the child's 20-year-old aunt.
The heartbreaking stories continue, with the senseless killing of five-year-old Galilea Samaniego in her sleep on August 13 during a drive-by shooting. Five teenagers have been arrested in connection with this tragedy. In another instance on July 28, 13-year-old Amber Archuleta was shot by a teenage friend in Questa, New Mexico, while simply enjoying music.
Archbishop Wester concludes his statement by calling upon the faithful of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and all individuals of faith to keep the victims of gun violence in their prayers. He hopes that these prayers will inspire meaningful steps towards solving the profound tragedy of gun violence that has permeated their society.
In this contentious debate over gun control measures, Archbishop John Wester's support for Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's temporary gun ban stands out as a call to prioritize the preservation of innocent lives.
