A public health order in New Mexico that temporarily restricted firearms and enhanced drug monitoring has expired, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced. The order, which was implemented in response to gun violence and substance misuse, will not be renewed.
“The public health order, though temporary, allowed us to implement urgent and necessary measures that have had a measurable, positive effect on public safety in our state,” said Lujan Grisham. “I have decided to allow the public health order to expire, but our fight to protect New Mexico communities from the dangers posed by guns and illegal drugs will continue.”
The governor initially issued the order in September 2023 following the shooting death of an 11-year-old boy in Albuquerque. It included restrictions such as banning firearms in public parks and playgrounds within Bernalillo County, enhancing oversight of firearm sales, and conducting wastewater testing for fentanyl in schools.
Memorandums of understanding were established between New Mexico's state government and local law enforcement agencies like the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and Albuquerque Police Department. These agreements focused on sharing public safety data for transparency.
In the year since its implementation, significant progress was made: over 1,700 firearms were collected through buy-back events; arrests doubled in Albuquerque with a notable percentage related to violent crimes; there was increased awareness about juvenile gun possession; fewer gunfire incidents were reported; over 52,000 free gun locks were distributed; more than 31,000 doses of naloxone were provided for opioid overdose reversals; an interactive dashboard was developed for school drug trend analysis; and inmate numbers rose at Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center.
“Our work is not done,” stated Lujan Grisham. “We need the legislature to pass stronger public safety laws, increase penalties for violent offenders, and ensure that those suffering from substance misuse have access to treatment. This is no time to slow down—we must accelerate our efforts to protect our families. The legislature must also prioritize budget requests from our law enforcement agencies who need more resources to continue their fight against crime.”