[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 684 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 684
Condemning the actions of Governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan
Grisham, for subverting the Second Amendment to the Constitution and
depriving the citizens of New Mexico of their right to bear arms.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 14, 2023
Mr. Newhouse (for himself, Mr. Zinke, Mr. Pfluger, Mr. Williams of
Texas, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Moylan, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Ellzey,
Mr. LaMalfa, Mr. McClintock, Mr. Alford, Mr. Van Drew, Mr. Moore of
Alabama, Mr. Norman, Mr. Feenstra, Mr. Owens, Mr. Crane, Mr. Tiffany,
Mr. Collins, Mr. Balderson, Ms. Tenney, Mr. Reschenthaler, Mr.
Moolenaar, Mr. Nehls, Mr. Hudson, Mrs. Bice, Mr. Carl, Mr. Santos, Mr.
Mooney, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Bost, Mr. Latta, Ms. Stefanik, Mr. Issa, Mrs.
Harshbarger, Mrs. Boebert, Mr. Cole, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Tony
Gonzales of Texas, Mr. Rosendale, Mr. Timmons, Mr. Valadao, Mr.
Finstad, Mrs. Fischbach, Ms. Hageman, Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia, Mr.
Clyde, Mr. Brecheen, Mrs. Cammack, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Johnson of Ohio,
Mr. Baird, Mrs. Miller of West Virginia, Mr. Loudermilk, Mr. Scalise,
Mrs. Luna, Mr. Self, Mr. Jackson of Texas, Mr. Graves of Missouri, Mr.
Duncan, Mr. Stauber, Mr. Johnson of Louisiana, Mr. Emmer, Mr. Grothman,
Mr. Langworthy, Mr. Westerman, Mr. Kustoff, Mr. Johnson of South
Dakota, Mr. Moore of Utah, and Mr. Weber of Texas) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary
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RESOLUTION
Condemning the actions of Governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan
Grisham, for subverting the Second Amendment to the Constitution and
depriving the citizens of New Mexico of their right to bear arms.
Whereas, on September 8, 2023, Governor Lujan Grisham issued an emergency public
health order that suspended New Mexicans' right to open and conceal
carry firearms for at least 30 days;
Whereas under this emergency order, citizens could be fined up to $5,000 and
face civil penalties for exercising their Second Amendment rights and
directs State agencies and local law enforcement to coordinate to
apprehend any violator of the order;
Whereas the Second Amendment to the Constitution states that the citizens right
to bear arms shall not be infringed;
Whereas all rights secured by the Constitution are absolute, and a direct
attempt from a Governor to take away the rights of citizens warrants the
condemnation from the Congress;
Whereas New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez stated he will not defend this
emergency order as it violates the Constitution;
Whereas United States District Court Judge David Urias for the District of New
Mexico blocked the portion of the emergency order that prohibits lawful
firearm owners from carrying their guns in public for 30 days;
Whereas in District of Columbia v. Heller, 554 U.S. 570, 595 (2008), the Supreme
Court confirmed that ``[t]here seems to us no doubt, on the basis of
both text and history, that the Second Amendment conferred an individual
right to keep and bear arms.'';
Whereas in McDonald v. City of Chicago, 561 U.S.742 (2010), the Supreme Court
reaffirmed that ``[s]elf-defense is a basic right, recognized by many
legal systems from ancient times to the present day.'';
Whereas Justice Thomas concurred by pointing out that ``the right to keep and
bear arms is a privilege of American citizenship.'';
Whereas the Supreme Court further held in New York State Rifle & Pistol
Association v. Bruen, 142 S. Ct. 2111, 2126 (2022), that the Second
Amendment requires the government to demonstrate that a law regulating
firearms ``is consistent with this Nation's historical tradition of
firearm regulation'';
Whereas the Governor stated ``No Constitutional right in my view, including my
oath, is intended to be absolute'' at a press conference announcing the
emergency public order; and
Whereas the oath of office for the Governor of New Mexico states ``Every person
elected or appointed to any office shall, before entering upon his
duties take and subscribe to an oath or affirmation that he will support
the constitution of the United States and the constitution and laws of
this state, and that he will faithfully and impartially discharge the
duties of his office to the best of his ability.'': Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives condemns the actions of
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for blatantly violating the Second
Amendment to the Constitution and depriving the citizens of New Mexico
of their right to bear arms.
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