Dozens of activists protest Las Cruces City Council vote on gun resolution
After more than three hours of heated debate, the Las Cruces City Council voted to table vote on a gun control resolution.
Monday, dozens of Second Amendment activists crowded the Las Cruces City Hall ahead of the vote.
The resolution that was in question, to “better ensure the safety of students in Las Cruces schools,” will not have any immediate effect on City policy. It was proposed by City Councilman Greg Smith, who represents district two.
While dozens were against it, some supported the resolution because of shooting threats at Las Cruces schools and around the country.
“We need to look at these things as honest individuals, not as partisans,” said Sureyya Husain, a Las Cruces High School parent. “Not as people who feel like a resolution just asking for an examination of gun laws that could help and protect keep our children alive are doing something wrong.”
The resolution would have asked the New Mexico legislature and the governor “act to better secure the safety and education of young people by restricting the sale and possession of semi-automatic weapons.”
“I don’t believe that the second amendment should be infringed,” said Tyler Whitelock, who was carrying an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. “I don’t believe that a gun is more evil or more good than the person holding it.”
WATCH THE CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION LIVE
Multiple gun advocates carried semi-automatic rifles into the city council chambers, which is not against any city law.
“We’ve gotten your attention with this resolution,” Smith said, acknowledging the packed city council chambers. “My hope is we get the attention of our legislators when it goes forward.”
“For them to even suggest that the state should strip us of our rights is an atrocious act,” said Timothy Robertson, who carried an AK-47 semi-automatic rifle into city hall. “The government does not have a right to restrict the Second Amendment.”
Council tabled the resolution so that council members can make updates or amendments ahead of the next legislative session. ABC-7 will continue to follow any developments.
