Republican Party of New Mexico

08/19/2025 | Press release | Archived content

2nd Amendment Victory

NEW MEXICO August 19 - The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals has struck down Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's 2024 "Waiting Period Act," which mandated a seven-day delay before law-abiding citizens could acquire a firearm. In Ortega v. Grisham, argued by attorney Carter Harrison on behalf of the NRA, who also represents RPNM, the court ruled that this "cooling-off" period violates the Second Amendment by unlawfully restricting citizens who have already cleared an immediate federal background check.

This law was not only unconstitutional-it placed New Mexicans in danger. A mandated waiting period leaves individuals vulnerable, denying them the ability to protect themselves and their families when facing immediate threats. As Senate Republican Leader William "Bill" Sharer said:

"Criminals certainly don't wait seven days before breaking into our homes and threatening our families and properties… what sense does it make to require law-abiding citizens to wait seven days before being able to defend themselves?

The court's decision highlights a truth that gun control advocates and Democratic lawmakers often ignore: these restrictions hinder responsible citizens while doing little to stop criminals.

This ruling is a major step in the right direction-pushing back against Governor Lujan Grisham's repeated attempts to strip freedoms from innocent New Mexicans instead of addressing violent crime.

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The Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) advances the ideals of individual liberties for the advancement of its citizens and the greater prosperity of our communities throughout New Mexico. Led by an Executive Board and its Chairwoman Amy Barela, RPNM serves all New Mexicans via its headquarters in Albuquerque and can be contacted at (505) 298-3662.
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Republican Party of New Mexico published this content on August 19, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 23, 2025 at 19:30 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]