Now it applies only to city parks and playgrounds.
Grisham’s change of heart came two days after a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on her carry ban. She held a press conference Friday to announce the move.
“We have removed the requirement that open and concealed carry cannot occur until the public health order has been removed or extended anywhere in the city.”
Grisham added on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, “I have amended the public health order to specify that you cannot carry guns in city parks or playgrounds in Albuquerque & Bernalillo County. I respect the judge’s decision on the last public order, but I am far from done fighting to protect New Mexicans.”
The embattled governor said that the remaining ban on city parks and playgrounds targets areas “where we know we’ve got a high risk of kids and families.”
The surprising mandate brought outrage among the sport shooting public and even triggered condemnation from gun control advocates. Many saw the announcement as so egregiously unconstitutional that it was indefensible even with their policy stance.
Law enforcement and prosecutors scrambled to distance themselves from the unpopular mandate. The Albuquerque mayor and police chief, the Bernalillo County sheriff and the district attorney all condemned the move and vowed not to enforce it.
Lawsuits poured into New Mexico, leading to the temporary restraining order.
It is too early to tell exactly what Grisham’s amended carry ban for city parks and playgrounds will entail, but it is clearly a victory for Second Amendment advocates. The people spoke loudly and clearly. Our gun rights are not for sale, and we will fight to keep the liberties we hold dear.
