Staff Reports
In an act of political surrender, vulnerable Democrat Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) has announced his intention to vote “yes” on a resolution condemning his own state’s governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM). The condemnation is in response to Lujan Grisham’s controversial decision to ban open and concealed carry in Bernalillo County, following a string of tragic shootings involving children.
A vulnerable Democrat in the House of Representatives will be forced to vote "yes" to condemn the governor of his state after she moved to outlaw open and concealed carry in a part of New Mexico where there was a series of shootings of children.https://t.co/ZFclto271P
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) September 20, 2023
This move puts Vasquez in a precarious position, as he won his seat by a mere 0.7% in 2022. The same can be said for Rep. Yadira Caraveo (D-CO), another vulnerable freshman Democrat who won her seat by the same narrow margin in 2022. It seems that these Democrats are willing to risk their political careers to appease the extreme anti-gun faction within their party.
Lujan Grisham’s order was met with strong opposition from both parties and activists alike. State Republicans have even gone so far as to call for the governor’s impeachment, accusing her of “violating her oath” to New Mexico. It’s clear that her decision to restrict guns outside of law enforcement use has struck a nerve with conservatives who believe in the fundamental right to self-defense.
While Lujan Grisham claims her actions are necessary to combat gun violence, her order has been challenged in court. It’s a shame that she would rather infringe on the rights of law-abiding citizens than address the root causes of violence. This knee-jerk reaction only serves to appease her far-left base while disregarding the constitutional rights of New Mexicans.
Vasquez’s decision to vote in favor of the resolution condemning Lujan Grisham may seem like a calculated political move, but it’s clear that he is putting partisan politics above the will of his constituents. By supporting this condemnation, Vasquez is turning his back on responsible gun owners and disregarding their right to protect themselves and their families. It’s disappointing to see a lawmaker prioritize political expediency over common sense solutions that respect our constitutional rights.
