AI was utilized in the writing of this article.
Jimmy Dean
February 4, 2024
The Capitol rally on Saturday morning was a testament to the growing concern among gun owners in New Mexico. Over 200 people braved the freezing temperatures to voice their opposition to a series of gun control bills currently making their way through the Democratic-majority state Legislature. The rally, organized by the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action, the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association, and the New Mexico Firearms Industry Association, was a clear demonstration of blowback against proposed gun control measures.
Zach Fort, legislative affairs officer for the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association, a branch of the NRA, spoke on behalf of many attendees when he criticized lawmakers for attempting to regulate guns without sufficient understanding of them. “We are the gun owners of New Mexico,” Fort declared. “We’re obviously concerned about crime. [Gun control] is the wrong way to address it” (Santa Fe New Mexican, 2024).
The sentiment echoed throughout the crowd was that violence in America stems from societal issues such as poverty, failing schools, and inadequate prosecution of criminals rather than guns themselves. The speakers argued that sanctioning law-abiding gun owners would not enhance public safety but would instead hinder individuals’ ability to protect themselves from armed criminals and potential government tyranny.
Victor Segura, a veteran and gun collector who attended the rally from Albuquerque, expressed this sentiment succinctly: “With all the things going on, it’s even more important to have the guns” (Santa Fe New Mexican, 2024).