An executive order temporarily suspending open and concealed carry laws in Albuquerque, New Mexico is facing backlash and criticism from lawmakers, presidential candidates, gun rights advocates, gun control advocates, and local law enforcement officials. 

Details: On Friday, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) announced a public health order that includes a “suspension of open and concealed carry laws in Bernalillo County, temporarily prohibiting the carrying of guns on public property with certain exceptions.” A statement from Grisham read, “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 … something is very wrong.”

Response: The order is being deemed unconstitutional by a diverse array of voices. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) stated, “This order from the Governor of New Mexico violates the U.S. Constitution. No state in the union can suspend the federal Constitution.” Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen said there is “no way we can enforce that order.” March For Our Lives founder and gun control advocate David Hogg stated, “I support gun safety but there is no such thing as a state public health emergency exception to the U.S. Constitution.” Florida Gov. and 2024 presidential candidate Ron DeSantis (R) stated, “since 2020, ‘public health’ has become a pretext for depriving citizens of civil liberties and trampling on our Constitutional rights.”

How the Media Covered It: Outlets across the spectrum are highlighting criticism of the order from bipartisan voices.