Where do GOP lawmakers stand on calls for special session?

Tamara Lopez | KOB

[anvplayer video=”5192246″ station=”998122″]

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — On Wednesday, U.S. District Court David Herrera Urias granted a temporary restraining order against a portion of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s recent public health order that banned both open and concealed firearms in Albuquerque in Bernalillo County.

House Republican Leader Ryan Lane said that was a step in the right direction, but he wants more done.

“I think we need a ruling from the New Mexico Supreme Court striking down that order is unconstitutional and unenforceable,” Lane said. “I think our citizens deserve that kind of security, knowing that their constitutional rights aren’t being violated at the whim of one individual.”

Now there have been calls by local and state leaders to hold a special session to talk about crime. Lane said he hadn’t heard that from across the aisle.

In a statement, the Democratic Party of New Mexico said:

New Mexico House Republican Leader Ryan Lane said that was a step in the right direction, but he wants more done.

“Hopefully, this is a wake-up call to New Mexico Republicans that prompts them to start taking endemic gun violence seriously and join Democrats in discussing and considering long-overdue gun safety measures that will undoubtedly reduce crime and save lives. New Mexico Republicans time and time again exploit instances of tragic gun violence as opportunities for political posturing while continuing to stonewall any meaningful gun safety reform as more guns fall into the wrong hands and more lives are taken. If Republicans are serious about reducing gun violence, Democrats look forward to working with them to find solutions.”

Lane said his party has talked about a special session.

“We’ve discussed the idea. And I know we really at the end of the day, we want to get to the root of what we feel are some of the problems and in Albuquerque with crime, and really, that’s the perspective that we’re taking,” he said.

Lane also says he’s frustrated to continuously bring up ideas that get shot down during the session. He mentioned things like the revolving door for repeat offenders, and better mental health resources before people reach the criminal justice system.

Lane also said impeaching the governor isn’t a practical use of time.

“I think the better route for us as conservatives is to focus on getting a court ruling and showing the people of New Mexico that actually Republicans are standing up for your rights,” Lane said. “And we’re going to pursue that to the very end.”

It’s important to know the judge did not strike down the entire public health order. He only suspended the sections prohibiting guns in public places for the next three weeks before another hearing on this case.

On Thursday afternoon, the governor shared a message for the New Mexico GOP on social media.