UNCONSTITUTIONAL, We’re not enforcing it

Statement from Sheriff John Allen on Governor's Public Health Order on Gun Violence

Albuquerque, NM- Today, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an emergency order temporarily suspending open and concealed carry laws in Albuquerque and throughout Bernalillo County for the next 30 days. This move has been positioned as a response to the alarming and tragic rise in gun violence, particularly the heart-wrenching death of an 11-year-old boy this past week.

First and foremost, every lost life is a tragedy, and the well-being of our community is of paramount concern to the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office. We share in the collective grief and urgency to address this issue.
However, as the elected Sheriff, I have reservations regarding this order. While I understand and appreciate the urgency, the temporary ban challenges the foundation of our Constitution, which I swore an oath to uphold. I am wary of placing my deputies in positions that could lead to civil liability conflicts, as well as the potential risks posed by prohibiting law-abiding citizens from their constitutional right to self-defense.
I was elected to represent and safeguard all constituents and to ensure the balance between our rights and public safety is maintained. That means we must critically evaluate any proposed solution to the deeply rooted issue of gun violence, ensuring we both protect our community and uphold the values that define us as a nation.

To proactively address gun violence, the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office has implemented and is currently executing several initiatives:
1. ERPO (Extreme Risk Protection Orders) - Identifying and addressing threats before they escalate.
2. Behavioral Health Unit - Addressing underlying mental health issues that often intersect with violent incidents.
3. Youth and Gun Violence Initiative - Focused programs to curb youth involvement in gun-related crimes.
4. Felon Firearm Possession Intervention - Targeting felons illegally in possession of firearms.
5. Crime Commission Initiative - Zeroing in on cases where firearms are used in the commission of crimes.
6. Interagency Collaboration - Partnering with State, Local, and Federal entities to create a unified front against gun violence.
7. Creation of a Violence Intervention Program - Intervening in gun violence before crimes happen through intel and inter-agency collaboration.

In conclusion, while we might not be in complete alignment with the Governor's recent order, we remain steadfast in our commitment to work collaboratively, both with her office and with the community, to find sustainable solutions to the gun violence epidemic plaguing our county. It is through robust dialogues, open-mindedness, and the shared goal of a safer Bernalillo County that we will find our way forward.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. Jphn Allen

1st Amendment to the Constitution

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.