New Mexico GOP threatens 'extremely painful' special session if guns bills are introduced

Southeast New Mexico Republicans called for “border security” measures during the upcoming special session called earlier this month by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, haranguing the governor and her Democratic Party for alleged inaction on crime the GOP contended was caused by the undocumented.

Lujan Grisham on April 17 announced the session would commence on July 18, designed to take up “additional public safety protections,” according to a news release from the governor’s office, and allow lawmakers to “finish what they started” during the session Lujan Grisham anticipated could take “several days” to complete.

Two bills intended to increase restrictions on firearms were passed during the 2024 Legislative Session and signed in March by Lujan Grisham. House Bill 129 enacted a seven-day waiting period for gun buyers, while Senate Bill 5 banned firearms at polling places. Both were amended to include exemptions for concealed carry permit holders, amid stern opposition from Republican lawmakers.

New Mexico Sen. Steven McCutcheon II (R-42) of Carlsbad said any additional gun bills would be fought heavily by the GOP. He said he doubted if Democrats would bring up any such legislation in anticipation of a fight with Republicans, instead expecting them to propose "panhandling" regulations.

Senate Bill 248, which would have added restrictions on public solicitors, was introduced during the session Sen. Leo Jaramillo (D-5) but was tabled and died before passing a committee vote.

“The Dems know if there are any gun bills, we will make it extremely painful,” McCutcheon said. “If there are gun bills, we’re gonna fight.”

On Sept. 8, 2023, the New Mexico Department of Public Health banned open and concealed carry of firearms in New Mexico cities via a public health order backed by Lujan Grisham, a move was instantly opposed, litigated and struck down by a federal district court. McCutcheon said such restrictions only penalized “law-abiding citizens,” pointing to several Republican-led bills that would have increased penalties for drug possession and trafficking as measures intended to prevent crime.

The governor did sign Senate Bill 96 to increase the minimum sentence for second-degree murder, the most common murder charge in the state, from 15 to 18 years’ incarceration, and Senate Bill 217 to require judges to hold some suspects of violent crimes in detention if they are accused of committing a felony while previously out on bond.

But McCutcheon said Democrats were uncommitted to a “crisis” at the U.S.-Mexico border he said was the source of New Mexico crime problems. He suggested calling the National Guard to the state’s portion of the border to increase drug enforcement targeting migrants crossing into the U.S.

“If we’re actually doing public safety, let the border be the topic of discussion,” he said. “They’re just seizing so much fentanyl. Meth is making a big comeback. New Mexico is becoming a corridor for that. There’s a lot of danger coming from the border. Let’s start there.”

More: NM Gov. Lujan Grisham says public safety special session likely

GOP proposes border, drug bills for special session

Republicans Sens. Greg Baca (R-29) of Belen, the minority floor leader, and Crystal Brantley (R-35) of Elephant Butte on April 23 announced a package of bills intending to address border concerns and fentanyl trafficking during the special session.

Proposals would bar state and local governments from declaring “sanctuary cities” where the GOP worried municipalities would refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, and appropriate state funds to increase “communications and infrastructure” for border security, read a GOP news release. The senators also planned to propose increases fentanyl penalties and adding a first-degree murder charge for anyone caught distributing the drug.

This followed a letter sent by GOP senators to Lujan Grisham calling for action on the “unchecked flow of illegal immigration,” and contending immigration was straining local resources and putting residents in danger. The letter also urged the governor to deploy the National Guard and demanded support of Baca’s and Brantley’s bills.

“The time for the federal government to address this intensifying crisis has long passed, and it is up to you, Governor, to now act in the best interest of our state and those you swore to serve,” read the letter. “Delay is no longer an option or an excuse. New Mexico must address the Biden border crisis and we are committed and ready to work with you to that end.”

More: GOP says Lujan Grisham wants 'everybody disarmed,' slams gun bills signed into law

House Republicans critical of immigration policy

Those concerns were echoed by New Mexico Rep. Jim Townsend (R-54) of Artesia, who argued border issues were the “No. 1” thing to address when it comes to public safety. He criticized the governor and Democrats for opposing the GOP’s previous crime bills and for not taking action to restrict immigration from the Mexico border.

“Border safety to me is probably one of the premier issues people are concerned about,” Townsend said. “They’re alarmed and afraid of these people coming across the border. They (immigrants) are not just people trying to make a better life.

“They’re mostly single men coming from countries that are not our friends, and they’re allow to come here with no restrictions. It’s very concerning.”

House Minority Floor Leader Rep. Rod Montoya (R-1) of Farmington penned an op-ed submitted to several news outlets in New Mexico, alleging a “blatant disregard” by both the federal government and State of New Mexico and describing the state’s “catch and release” border policies as a “recipe for disaster.”

“When the prevailing view of society is that the rule of law is meaningless, our society will quickly become unraveled. ‘Progressive” Democrats’ soft on crime and open border policies are a dereliction of duty to tax-paying, law-abiding citizens!” Montoya wrote.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: New Mexico GOP wants border safety bills in special session