Associated Press / SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)
New Mexico’s Democratic governor on Wednesday announced a mid-summer special legislative session on public safety after many crime initiatives languished.
In an emailed statement, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said she’ll call legislators back to Santa Fe on July 18 “to finish what they started during the 30-day legislative session.”
The Legislature delivered on a handful of the governor’s major priorities during a regular 30-day legislative session in January and February, but a long list of other gun control and public safety bills stalled without floor votes.
Lujan Grisham recently signed public safety bills that ban some guns at voting locations, extend a waiting period on gun purchases to seven days, enhance penalties for second-degree murder-related offenses and give judges an extra opportunity to deny bail to defendants who are charged with new crimes while already awaiting trial on a felony.
But she also has delivered a grim assessment of progress against violent crime and warned that “I don’t think it’s safe out there” as the Legislature adjourned in February.
Lujan Grisham declared a public health emergency over gun violence last year, suspending the right to carry guns in some parks and playgrounds in the greater Albuquerque area, in response to a spate of shootings there that killed children.
Republicans in the legislative minority recently urged the governor to address crime and security at the border with Mexico — traditionally the responsibility of the federal government. Lujan Grisham rebuffed the suggestion.
The summer session will unfold as the entire House and Senate are up for election in November, after the state’s June 4 primary. Lujan Grisham cannot run for reelection in 2026 at the end of her second term.
Nothing has changed with her gun control attempts. It’s a futile battle. Criminals will always know how to get guns and the law abiding citizens will be defenseless. The focus should be on the border and the criminal immigrants who come here illegally committing violent crimes such as, murdering innocent children and whoever else they want. Rushing to allow the powers that be to commit offenders to the Nut Hut seems like a bit too much at this time. Wait for the next legislative session to present the bill in order to gather more information to be better informed about what would be most effective to the patient/offender. Lastly, homelessness needs immediate attention and not just in the northern part of the state. The southern end deserves attention as well. The fact that otero county lacks resources is disheartening. The Hidden Homeless community is struggling to find affordable housing amongst other resources. Maybe a conversation with the magistrate judges would benefit from a conversation about fairness and that the tenants are not always in the wrong. You can almost always bet that the judge will side with the landlord and not allow the tenant to speak or provide any proof of payment to the court. Yes, it’s true. It happened to me. Evicted last year and my rent was paid. The unpleasant and unethical judge was rude and disrespectful to me. He said he allowed me to state my name when I asked him if I would be allowed to provide him with my proof. Then he wrapped it up like he had no care about my situation. Rant over…. Let’s see what comes next
We need to secure our border first if the federal government is not, and they are not. Her rage on gun control has done nothing for crime and never will, as historical facts show that gun control bills do nothing at keeping guns out of criminals’ hands. Thank God she can’t have another term.