Albuquerque gun shop plans to defy governor's order and reopen

Here's a couple of promising stories coming out of NM

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- A gun shop in Albuquerque plans to reopen despite a Public Health Order from the governor that says non-essential businesses must close through April 30.

Louie Sanchez, owner of Calibers, said the order is an over-reach by the governor.

"So, we at Calibers have decided that we are going to open up with social distancing on our range," Sanchez said. "And you know what, we're going to take this fight back to her. We feel that unless, somehow, she got a magical power to take the Second Amendment out of our constitution, that we have the right to open up." [link to www.kob.com (secure)]
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Farmington mayor calls for immediate opening of all businesses at 20% occupancy

FARMINGTON, N.M. — Mayor Nate Duckett has declared Farmington to be an 'economic emergency area' as a result of COVID-19 and forced business closures.

Duckett is calling on Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to consider modifying her public health orders to permit all businesses to reopen at 20% maximum occupancy, while practicing social distancing.

In the declaration, he commends Gov. Lujan Grisham for her leadership in the face of a global public health emergency and for the public health orders that have been implemented. However, he says the closure of non-essential businesses has led to the highest levels of unemployment in New Mexico's history and will lead to higher rates of poverty. [link to www.kob.com (secure)]
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NM Supreme Court blocks request for mail-in primary election

The Republican Party of New Mexico, represented by Carter Harrison, believes a complete mail-in election is illegal in the state.

"What the petitioner is asking you to do is not interpret the law, but go and make something legal," he said.

The justices had questions for both sides.

They wanted to know why people couldn't just ask for an absentee ballot. The court also questioned whether it even has the power to re-write election laws since neither the state's constitution, nor the legislature, have ever addressed the issue before.

"I think we are trying to usurp the legislature and give the secretary of state powers she doesn't have," said Chief Justice Judith Nakumira. [link to www.kob.com (secure)]