SANTA FE, N.M — Today, Everytown for Gun Safety and its grassroots network, the New Mexico chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, issued the following statements after gunfire broke out in Las Cruces’ Young Park, killing three people and wounding 15 more. The shooting came as state lawmakers adjourned the legislative session without passing SB 279, legislation that would have banned assault weapons in the state. Following reports of the shooting, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham called on lawmakers to take legislative action to tackle gun violence, denouncing their inaction as “appalling and unacceptable.”
“I grew up in Las Cruces – I know the park, the neighborhood and some of the victims that were there – this shooting is personal,” said Leighanne Muñoz, a New Mexico Students Demand Action volunteer and National Organizing Board Member. “Lawmakers in the Roundhouse chose to play politics with our safety – and today we have been reminded how inaction is a death sentence. My senator, Joseph Cervantes, blocked legislation to ban assault weapons and after last night, it’s time he asked himself if he plans to turn a blind eye while his constituents die or if he’ll actually do what he was elected to do and vote for gun safety.”
“Once again, New Mexicans have been confronted with the grief and anguish from gun violence when lawmakers turn their backs on their communities,” said Cheryl Haase, a volunteer leader with the New Mexico chapter of Moms Demand Action. “This session, lawmakers did nothing but wait for the next tragedy – refusing to even take a vote on the bill that would have banned weapons of war from our streets. Lawmakers, including Senators Wirth, Muñoz and Cervantes, need to get back to the Roundhouse and pass legislation to ban assault weapons instead of doing the gun lobby’s bidding.”
The shooting came hours after lawmakers adjourned the legislative session refusing to take a vote on SB 279 – legislation that would have banned assault weapons in New Mexico. Here’s the list of Democratic lawmakers who blocked SB 279:
- Senator Peter Wirth, as Majority Floor Leader, orchestrated a systematic stalling of SB 279 to run the clock on legislation to ban assault weapons.
- Senator Joseph Cervantes, represents a bordering district of last night’s mass shooting and is the only Democrat on record to vote against the assault weapons ban this session. Earlier this month, Students Demand Action wrote to Senator Cervantes urging his support as Judiciary Chair. He did not respond.
- Senator George Muñoz, as chair of the Finance Committee, questioned the constitutionality of an assault weapons ban, ignoring that 10 other states already ban these deadly weapons. Senator Muñoz refused to hear SB 279.
A January poll from Everytown for Gun Safety found New Mexicans overwhelmingly support gun safety and the need for urgent action with 81% of respondents thinking that gun violence prevention should be a priority for lawmakers this legislative session. Sixty-eight percent of respondents signaled support for a ban on assault weapons including half of gun owners.
The rate of gun deaths has increased 59% from 2014 to 2023 in New Mexico, compared to a 34% increase nationwide. In an average year, 526 people die by guns. With a rate of 25.2 deaths per 100,000 people, New Mexico has the 3rd-highest rate of gun deaths in the US. More information about gun violence in New Mexico is available here.
To speak with a New Mexico Moms Demand Action or Students Demand Action volunteer, please reach out to [email protected].