Leave it to the Bee. 

In response to New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s executive order to suspend for 30 days the right to have concealed and open-carry firearms, the conservative satirists at the Babylon Bee once again offer the best response to a ridiculous government action:

“New Mexico — Criminals across New Mexico were ecstatic to hear from Governor Grisham today that no one in the state would be armed for an entire month.

“Oh, sweet!” said local carjacker Jeff Diggs. “It’s so stressful wondering if your next victim could be packing. Gosh, that’s such a weight off.”

“New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham made the announcement yesterday in a press conference, to resounding cheers from criminals across the state. “I just want every thief in our great state to know they have nothing to fear,” said Governor Grisham. “We’re delivering bold leadership on crime and making a statement to the nation. That statement is this: For the next month, criminals in New Mexico can rob and assault anyone with absolute impunity.”

Clever and funny, but it is no joke. Many others are outraged by the governor’s order.

In response to the shooting deaths of a thirteen-year-old girl on July 28, a five-year-old girl on August 14, and an eleven-year-old boy on September 6, as well as two mass shooting this year, the New Mexico governor declared gun violence a public health emergency and issued a public health order that suspends for 30 days the right to have concealed and open carry firearms in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County.

In a press release on September 8, the governor stated, “As I said yesterday, the time for standard measures has passed. And when New Mexicans are afraid to be in crowds, to take their kids to school, to leave a baseball game — when their very right to exist is threatened by the prospect of violence at every turn — something is very wrong.”

The governor signed an executive order declaring illegal drugs a public health emergency. Her action plan includes a suspension of open and concealed carry laws in Bernalillo County, temporarily prohibiting the carrying of guns on public property with certain exceptions, such as licensed security guards and law enforcement officers.

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Citizens with permits to carry firearms are free to possess their weapons on private property (such as at a gun range or gun store), provided they transport the firearm in a locked box, use a trigger lock, or some other mechanism that renders the gun incapable of being fired. The public health order also directs restrictions.

Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen responded to the governor’s executive order at a press conference, “It’s unconstitutional, so there’s no way we can enforce that order. This ban does nothing to curb gun violence.”

In a press release, Sheriff Allen stated, “Today, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an emergency order temporarily suspending open and concealed carry laws in Albuquerque and throughout Bernalillo County for the next 30 days. 

“This move has been positioned as a response to the alarming and tragic rise in gun violence, particularly the heart-wrenching death of an eleven-year-old boy this past week. First and foremost, every lost life is a tragedy, and the well-being of our community is of paramount concern to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. We share in the collective grief and urgency to address this issue.

“However, as the elected Sheriff, I have reservations regarding this order. While I understand and appreciate the urgency, the temporary ban challenges the foundation of our Constitution, which I swore an oath to uphold. I am wary of placing my deputies in positions that could lead to civil liability conflicts, as well as the potential risks posed by prohibiting law-abiding citizens from their constitutional right to self-defense.”

Grisham needs to be impeached. She tells the community to ‘step up, get loud.’ Some just love to keep people divided.

Lawsuits and legislative action to counter the governor’s executive order are ongoing in New Mexico. If her order stands, similar executive orders will be issued across the country by other anti-gun activists and politicians.

I wonder if Philadelphia Mayor Kenney is upset that he didn’t think of issuing such an order in our city.

Gary Capuano, a retired Philadelphia Police sergeant, offered what he called his “two cents” on the governor’s executive order. 

“Governor Grisham is totally disregarding the Constitution of the U.S., specifically the Second Amendment,” the veteran police officer said. “She is another, in the line of many, who has violated her oath. Grisham is illegally taking legally owned firearms out of the hands of law-abiding citizens for their self-defense.

“Sounds like something a dictator would do. It’s weird how she and many other democratic leaders fail to understand that the criminals are the ones who are out there committing crimes, not the law-abiding citizens. This order not only tramples people’s rights, it puts all at risk. Grisham needs to be impeached. She tells the community to ‘step up, get loud.’ Some just love to keep people divided. These democratic governors and mayors always feel it necessary to attack the rights of the law-abiding instead of the criminal. A good start would be holding their criminals accountable! 

“These ‘leaders’ need not worry about the ban because they travel with their armed security teams paid for with our tax money. The silent majority need to stand up because leaders like Grisham are going to continue to chip away at our freedoms. These Mayors and Governors wonder why they can’t get any police recruits. They need look no further than in their own mirrors. Any law enforcement officer who even attempts to enforce this illegal order should be fired and ordered to turn in their credentials.” 

Thankfully, a federal judge appointed by President Biden temporarily blocked Governor Grisham’s executive order. U.S. District Court Judge David Urias stated that the governor’s 30-day suspension of concealed and open firearm carry rights violated a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling on citizens’ right to carry a firearm outside their homes for self-defense.

Paul Davis, a Philadelphia writer and frequent contributor to Broad + Liberty, also contributes to Counterterrorism magazine and writes the On Crime column for the Washington Times. He can be reached via pauldavisoncrime.com.