Two Republican legislators filed a resolution on Wednesday aimed at initiating impeachment proceedings against Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham over her emergency public health orders suspending the right to carry firearms in some public places in greater Albuquerque, such as parks and playgrounds.
The resolution from Reps. Stefani Lord of Sandia Park and John Block of Alamogordo accuses the governor of violating her oath of office to uphold the state and federal constitutions.
"The point is that she has too much power," said Lord, founder of the advocacy group Pro-Gun Women. "We're just trying to say to her, 'You have too much power, you're acting like a dictator. ... And we're going to impeach you.'"
In a statement obtained by CBS News, Lord called Lujan Grisham a disgrace to New Mexico. "The rights of New Mexicans are not up for debate," said Lord. "No matter how hard Lujan Grisham tries to violate the constitution, she will never succeed."
Block accused the governor of "violating the Constitution to make a political statement," noting that Lujan Grisham said she expected legal challenges from the outset.
Lujan Grisham Faces Impeachment Resolution
A resolution for the impeachment of New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has been filed by Republican state representatives Stefani Lord and Mark Moores. However, a spokesperson for Lujan Grisham dismissed the resolution as a political stunt, pointing to other bills sponsored by Lord and Moores, such as criminalizing necrophilia and offering sex offenders early release from prison in exchange for chemical castration procedures.
Representative Stefani Lord responded to the filings, stating that the rights of New Mexicans are not up for debate and that she will stand firm against Lujan Grisham's actions.
It remains uncertain whether the resolution will advance to public committee deliberations in the state House, where Democrats hold a majority.
Lujan Grisham's Emergency Orders Challenged
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, a second-term Democrat, is facing legal challenges to her emergency orders issued last year in response to gun violence. Gun rights advocates, including Republican state legislators, the National Rifle Association, and Albuquerque residents, have filed lawsuits urging the New Mexico Supreme Court to block the orders. The court recently heard oral arguments in the case.
Gun Provision Enforcement Allowed to Continue in New Mexico
In the federal court system, a judge has allowed enforcement of the gun provision to continue while legal challenges run their course.
New Mexico Governor, Lujan Grisham, delivered her second State of the State address on Tuesday, where she outlined her proposed gun safety measures. The package includes a ban on assault weapons, raising the legal purchase age for all guns to 21, implementing a 14-day waiting period, increasing penalties for felons in possession of a firearm, prohibiting guns in parks and playgrounds, and granting law enforcement officers the ability to file Extreme Risk Protection Orders to prevent firearms from reaching individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others.
New Mexico lawmakers have begun a 30-day session and will consider a range of firearms proposals from the governor, including a permanent statewide ban on firearms in public parks and playgrounds.
