In the New Mexico Senate, where Democrats hold a substantial majority, Republican members have pledged to fully utilize procedural tactics to strengthen their position and potentially delay Democratic initiatives they oppose. This strategy was evident during a recent debate over a bill aimed at banning the carrying of firearms near polling locations on Election Day.
The discussion was momentarily interrupted when Senator Craig Brandt, a Republican from Rio Rancho, invoked a “call of the Senate.” This procedure necessitates the presence of all Senate members for a vote, causing a brief pause in the proceedings as absent lawmakers were summoned back to the chamber. The delay lasted approximately 45 minutes until three absent Democrats returned, one of whom, Senator Siah Correa Hemphill from Silver City, sided with the Republicans against the bill. She faces a fierce reelection fight against former state Sen. Gabe Ramos, a Republican.
Despite Correa Hemphill’s vote, the bill, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth of Santa Fe, passed with a 26-16 vote and was forwarded to the House of Representatives. Wirth emphasized the bill’s intention to protect voters, citing concerns from a poll worker about the intimidating presence of armed individuals during elections. He believes that keeping firearms away from polling places is a sensible step given the current national climate surrounding elections.
The proposed legislation would make carrying a firearm within 100 feet of a polling site a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $500 fine, with minor exemptions, including for law enforcement officers. Wirth also introduced amendments to the bill in committee hearings, aiming to address some concerns by allowing voters to leave their firearms in their vehicles at polling sites.
However, these concessions did not sway the Republicans, who proposed their own amendments, such as one by Senator Mark Moores of Albuquerque. Moores suggested permitting New Mexicans with concealed carry permits to bring firearms into polling places, but this amendment was not adopted due to opposition from most Democrats.
The bill is part of a broader effort by Democrats to advance anti-gun legislation this session. With the Democrat majority in the House as well, it is unclear if the bill has a chance in the House.
This is an excellent example of “just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” The only way this crap is going to stop is if everyone stops voting for democRats!! Of course, they’ll cheat and win anyway…
No matter what – never give up, never surrender!! If we fight hard enough for long enough we can beat them. Many people vote democRat because they and their families always have. This is a very conservative state – please vote your beliefs and not your family’s!
This is an example of “If it’s illegal, do not obey.”
The Constitution is the law of the land. All people should obey the Constitution and be law-abiding rather than joining the Communists in breaking the law.
Absolutely! Jury nullification is needed.
Agree!
You are right on, Benita!
Love the fact the Socialist party aka Democrats “Fast Track” bills to disarm the law abiding citizens but table, again, any bill to punish the criminal. The bail bill was tabled on a vote by 5 Albuquerque Dems.
Agree, NMs are conservatives, they are also uninformed. Many work manual labor and do not get time or take time to listen to the news or when they do, they listen to the left wing bias news/lies. All we can do is inform them in a non confrontational way.
You have no authority.
Your bill is NULL and VOID
The citizens DO NOT RECOGNIZE your UNCONSTITUTIONAL PIECE OF PAPER.
Jury Nullification. It may not be helpful on a misdemeanor but a felony for a jury, it will stymie the system.
Welcome to Nazi New Mexico, take the guns control the populous. These are the same people that want to get paid for their decisions.
And how are these gun ban laws going to apply to illegals and the cartel coming in with them?
Another example of the “follow the leader” nonsense of the dembocrap party! Put up great big signs that tell the punks and thugs they won’t be shot back at when they come to influence votes!
I’m with JT – do not comply. MLG and team Karen will ramrod most, if not all these bills through. Let’s hope the courts view most as unconstitutional
JT and viejo Ray both have a point. Laws repugnant to the constitution are nullified and should be overturned by the courts, however the communist rot in NM has also affected that branch of government. Judges are appointed by politicians and most come from the same communist training schools so don’t hold your breath waiting for sanity or justice. The goal of destroying the second amendment is simply to render you helpless against a tyrannical government. It has nothing to do with public safety.
the DemonRats are alive in New Mexico, can’t wait to vote every one of them out. Just another example of their commie ways.
Is there a rash of people holding voters at gunpoint to force them to vote their way, or what?
Quit stealing the rights of the citizens and start protecting citizens!!! That wide open border needs shut down now! That wide open border and the lack of actual arrests and prison time are all the more reason citizens should arm up as our corrupt Government isn’t going to protect us!
Ultra conservative Justice Thomas said guns should not be allowed at the polling place. You believe John you are wiser than the Supreme Court Justice that is more conservative than you. This is a shame outrage typical of those running for reelection. Do you support the gun rights of nonviolent offenders who have completed probation being reinstated if not you are a gun rights fraud.
Ultra conservative Justice Thomas said guns should not be allowed at the polling place. You believe John you are wiser than the Supreme Court Justice that is more conservative than you. This is a shame outrage typical of those running for re-election. Do you support the gun rights of nonviolent offenders who have completed probation being reinstated if not you are a gun rights fraud.
I open carry often. I am against any bills that take gun rights away from law abiding citizens.
The places I have to go to vote are in gun free zones already. I vote early , I have to vote at the court house. I can’t even carry a pocket knife in with me. I am still against the bill.
Delay every bill so fewer get approved. Even funding bills. If it takes 15 days to get a bill approved instead of 10 that’s one third less harm they can do to the State.