New Mexico’s governor seeks ‘red flag’ law to take guns away from those who threaten violence

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham was joined by several lawmakers in Las Cruces Wednesday as they announced plans to introduce a so-called 'red flag' gun law for the upcoming New Mexico legislative session.

Speaking at the Law Enforcement Museum at the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, the governor said the proposed "extreme-risk protection order" law enjoys bi-partisan support and was confident it could be passed in the state Legislature this year. (You can watch the entire announcement in the video player at the end of this article.)

The measure would allow family members or police officers to seek a court order to temporarily take weapons and ammunition away from someone who makes violent threats against either themselves or others.

Lujan Grisham noted that President Trump voiced support for such laws in the wake of the El Paso mass shooting on Aug. 3. State Sen. Joseph Cervantes, among the sponsors of the legislation, added that he believed such a law could prevent tragedies like the El Paso Walmart shooting from happening, noting that the accused shooter had publicly posted online a manifesto threatening Hispanics prior to the attack.

“Too often these murders follow earlier warnings made to family, friends and even law enforcement who don’t now have a clear way to react,” Cervantes said. “This will give law enforcement and our courts the immediate, fast and certain procedure to investigate people threatening our communities.”

Lujan Grisham cited an urgent need for the law in New Mexico, which she said leads the nation in gun suicides and is among the tops in overall gun violence. Data provided the governor's office showed New Mexico’s suicide rate is at least 50 percent higher than the U.S. national rate.

At least 17 states currently have laws similar to the one the governor is backing for New Mexico and she said a recent national public opinion poll showed an overwhelming majority of Americans (77%) support 'red flag' laws.