Albuquerque DA refuses to enforce state concealed carry ban

Albuquerque District Attorney Sam Bregman said Saturday in no uncertain terms that he would not enforce a 30-day concealed carry ban issued by Democrat New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Sept. 8.

“As an officer of the court, I cannot and will not enforce something that is clearly unconstitutional,” Bregman said, according to the Associated Press. “This office will continue to focus on criminals of any age that use guns in the commission of a crime.”

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and Police Chief Harold Medina also stood against the ban.

Bregman was appointed by Grisham but disagrees with her decision to ban concealed carry after several recent shootings in the state, including that of an 11-year-old boy outside a minor league baseball stadium last week.

Grisham said she expected legal challenges to her order but wanted to "move debate" on the issue.

Republican lawmakers in the state decried Grisham's action, which they say violates the Second Amendment.