LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and her Democratic allies in the New Mexico legislature are proposing the largest and most comprehensive public antigun package in our state’s history. They want a 14-day background check, waiting period of gun purchases, prohibiting guns in polling places and parks and a minimum age requirement of 21 years on semiautomatic firearm purchases. The governor also wants to amend state law to allow gun manufacturers to be held liable for deceptive trade practices. And we are still waiting for progressive, antigun lawmakers to file legislation banning semiautomatic firearms and limiting magazine capacity.

These proposals will do nothing to reduce crime and gun violence. Criminals don’t purchase their guns from licensed gun dealers. Only honest, law-abiding citizens do.

As crime is on the rise in New Mexico and throughout the country, one might think the governor and her Democratic allies would promote proposals that actually address and reduce crime and gun violence. Prosecuting all law-breakers, especially ex-convicts in possession of a gun and addressing mental issues that often lead to violent acts, might be a start.

Those between 18 and 21 years of age in our military can be handed fully automatic rifles and pistols and be sent off to war. But Democrats believe their constitutional right to own firearms should be taken away from them at home. Last month, a federal court in West Virginia was the latest to reject laws banning adults between the ages of 18 and 20 from buying handguns. A New Mexico ban of these guns and semiautomatic rifles to this group will likely be overturned when it gets to the Supreme Court.

Gov. Lujan Grisham should stop wasting time on frivolous issues and address rising crime.

Harry Murray

Las Cruces