Sheriffs throughout New Mexico have stood up and said they would refuse to enforce Senate Bill 8, a background check bill that's currently making its way through the state legislature. If passed, SB 8 would require federal background checks for all firearm purchases. If someone does not undergo a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), he or she could face charged with a misdemeanor.
According to New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan-Grisham, these sheriffs are doing nothing but "throwing a childish pity party" because they're standing up against unconstitutional laws.
When these sheriffs say they won’t enforce background checks (which, again, they can’t do), here’s what they mean: ‘I don’t care who wants a gun, whether it’s a dangerous criminal, a terrorist, someone in crisis. It would be outrageous, an affront, for due diligence to be done.’
— Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (@GovMLG) February 26, 2019
When these ‘sanctuary’ sheriffs say they won’t enforce #HB87, which will keep firearms out of the hands of domestic violence offenders, what they are saying is: ‘I am fighting to make sure your abuser can keep his gun.’
— Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (@GovMLG) February 26, 2019
Improving background checks and keeping firearms away from domestic abusers will not solve every problem, no. But they have been proven effective, and we will work at #nmleg until firearm safety – which responsible gun-owners in New Mexico recognize as imperative – is achieved.
— Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (@GovMLG) February 26, 2019
I’m not daunted by obstacles, whether it’s NRA propaganda, rogue sheriffs throwing a childish pity party or bad-faith critics. Legislative leaders and I will continue to fight the scourge of gun violence in our communities. #nmleg #nmpol #SB8
— Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (@GovMLG) February 26, 2019
So, let's get this straight. New Mexico wants to expand their gun control laws. Fine. But they want to expand background checks that are flawed? Makes no sense. As it is, we have 38 states providing 80 percent of their convictions to NICS. That means that there are massive holes in the background check system that is supposed to "protect" us and keep prohibited possessors from obtaining a firearm. Fact: it doesn't.
No one wants firearms in the hands of criminals, and yes, that includes law-abiding gun owners. Making the assumption that criminals go to a gun dealer, fill out a 4473 to purchase a firearm and go through the background check process is seriously delusional thinking. How many criminals actually try to buy a gun legally? Practically none. All this law would do is make it more expensive and difficult for law-abiding gun owners to obtain firearms.