New Mexico Legislative Alert

At the Monday, May 21st meeting of the Albuquerque City Council, Mayor Jim Baca is expected to formally introduce a city ordinance to prohibit trained, law-abiding citizens who qualify for a state-issued license under New Mexico's new "Right- To-Carry" law from carrying concealed handguns for personal protection within city borders. Mayor Baca's misguided actions -- based on what can only be a combination of misinformation and mistrust of the very people he was elected to represent -- come more than one month before the new law is even set to take effect!

Make no mistake -- even if you don't reside within city limits, this proposal affects you or anyone else who may work in, travel through or occasionally visit the city for any number of reasons. And if Albuquerque is successful in passing such a restriction, you can bet that more cities and counties in the state will quickly follow.

The mayor's proposal, which was not available for review at the time this went to print, is expected to be introduced Monday and referred to a committee of the full council as the first step in the process. Although no vote is expected to be taken on the measure at Monday's meeting, it's critical that we have a strong showing of opposition to Mayor Baca's proposal early in the process. Here's what you can do next week to lay the groundwork for beating back Mayor Baca's efforts to deny honest citizens the right to protect themselves in this responsible manner:

• Attend the next Albuquerque City Council meeting on Monday, May 21, at 5:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers, located in the basement of City Hall at One Civic Plaza NW in Albuquerque. Anyone wishing to address this important issue should be there by 4:30 to sign up to speak during the public comment period held at the beginning of the meeting. If you need any information on "Right-To-Carry", please contact NRA-ILA's Grassroots Division at 1-800-392-8683, see our Research section, or see the following items:
  • Right To Carry 2001
    
  • Texas Right-to-Carry Law Under Attack
  • Texas Concealed Handgun Carriers Are Law-Abiding Public Benefactors

• Call, fax and email Mayor Baca and City Councillors and urge them to oppose any effort to deny trained, law-abiding residents of, or visitors to Albuquerque from protecting themselves in this manner. Contact information for the mayor and city councillors is provided below.

• Distribute this alert to at least FIVE like-minded family members, friends or fellow gun owners and ask them to take these actions to protect our right to self-defense in New Mexico.

* Councillor Mike McEntee has publicly announced his opposition to Mayor Baca's efforts. Please call him and thank him for his support! You may also contact Councillor McEntee at 899-4891 for more information on the Mayor's proposal and future actions by the City Council on this important matter.