Gun rights group sues New Mexico governor over order banning guns in public

A gun rights group late Saturday sued New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in federal court, alleging her emergency order banning firearms in public in the Albuquerque area is unconstitutional.

The National Association for Gun Rights sued on behalf of Albuquerque resident Foster Haines, asking the U.S. District Court in New Mexico to block implementation of her order.

“The State must justify the Carry Prohibition by demonstrating that it is consistent with the Nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation,” the suit stated. “But it is impossible for the State to meet this burden, because there is no such historical tradition of firearms regulation in this nation.”

Grisham drew criticism from the left and right after she announced the public health order Friday suspending concealed and open carry laws in the city for 30 days to address rising violence.