Las Cruces officials postpone action on gun control measure
LAS CRUCES — The Las Cruces City Council has postponed consideration of a proposal that would have supported restrictions on the sale and possession of semi-automatic guns in New Mexico.
The council on Monday voted to table the resolution indefinitely, allowing the council more time to discuss input from the public.
The nonbinding measure, which councilors noted was not a ban on guns, would have requested that state lawmakers and the governor take action following the influx of gun threats at schools.
“I’d like members of the public to understand restrict is not the same thing as ban,” said Councilor Greg Smith, who introduced the measure.
The council chambers were packed Monday as the debate began. At least two dozen gun owners stood in the back of the room holding semiautomatic rifles and handguns, which is allowed under state law.
Before the public comment session, Mayor Ken Miyagishima said residents carrying weapons would not be allowed to speak, but at least two people gave comments with guns holstered.
The gun owners had criticized the resolution, citing it as an attack on their constitutional rights.
Edward Killroy, a New Mexico State University student, told the Las Cruces Sun-News that he believes the city’s resolution is “just the first step in the process” to restrict gun ownership.
Killroy was protesting the resolution outside the city hall Monday with an AR-15 slung on his shoulder as a “visual aid.” The Luna County resident said he doesn’t think stricter gun control will stop people who want to carry out criminal acts.
Mary Anne Hendrickson, a Las Cruces resident who served in the U.S. Navy for 26 years, told the council she supported the resolution.
“All of our rights are managed. You don’t have carte blanche to do whatever you want with your weapons,” she said.
Councilor Gabriel Vasquez, a gun owner, said changes are needed for gun control laws.
He chastised the people who openly carried guns to the council chambers.
“I wouldn’t come into an open chamber carrying openly to intimidate others,” he said.