Albuquerque gun store owner weighs in on order banning guns in public

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M – Local gun owners are reacting to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s 30-day gun ban in Bernalillo County. 

KOB 4 spoke with a local gun shop about the public health order’s impact on business. 

“My initial reaction was kind of fear, because people that have through the concealed carry courses and spent the time learning how to properly handle firearms, they’re not the problem,” said Ryan Burt, CEO of Calibers. 

On Friday, the governor announced a ban on carrying guns, open or concealed, in Albuquerque and across Bernalillo County for 30 days. 

Burt says he feels this is not the right way to address gun violence. 

“The individuals that are doing what they’re doing in our community, it’s horrific. Unbelievable. I don’t even know what to say, and it’s those individuals that I don’t believe are going to follow this order,” said Burt. 

He strongly condemns illegal gun use and the violent crimes being committed. But also says this new public health order is already impacting his business.

“We’ve received hundreds of phone calls, people canceling their classes, people just not willing to come down because they don’t understand what’s going on. Normally, we would be pretty full on a Saturday. And as you can see, we’re not very full today. So it’s having an impact,” Burt said. 

One customer didn’t cancel his range session, and says he was shocked at the announcement.

“Initially, I was very disappointed. It’s another case of the law-abiding citizen, that’s done everything right. getting punished for a criminal’s actions,” he said.

He says there are other ways to create change.

 “We need better focus on actual rehabilitation. Stuff that actually works and actual good punishments for the people that are repeat offenders,” said a concerned resident. 

At Caliber’s, Burt says their main goal is education. They offer classes and training on gun safety. He hopes to share this perspective in Santa Fe. 

“I think the bigger picture is that we get an opportunity to speak with the governor and work on a long term plan on really what, what’s the true objective to making our community safe? Because that’s what we all want to do,” said Burt.