Letters to the editor: On red-flag legislation

These letters were published in the Feb. 9 print edition of the Las Cruces Sun-News.

Liberty and justice for all

20th century legal scholar John Wigmore once wrote, "Cross-examination is the greatest legal engine ever invented for the discovery of truth." For without cross-examination, judges become inquisitors.  

The Constitution's 6th Amendment enshrines our system of due process protections, including the rights to be informed of the nature and cause of an accusation, confront the witnesses against you, be guaranteed the right to obtain witnesses in your favor, and have the assistance of counsel.

Someday state Democrats might bother to write bills that do not blatantly trample these rights, but not this year. Instead, so-called "Extreme Risk Protection Order" bills (SB5 and HB7) being rammed through the Legislature will deny New Mexicans these due process rights (6th), plus the uninfringeable right to keep arms (2nd), right to trial (7th), and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures (4th). And while accusers would be offered state lawyers, nothing would be offered to defendants. Even after a "protection" order is removed, a defendant only receives back "a" firearm, regardless of the number seized, and not even necessarily any one confiscated, violating the 5th Amendment's just compensation clause.

The 14th Amendment extends these rights to states, which these bills also ignore.  Lastly, these call for seizing all firearms found, including those of other family members, violating the 1st Amendment through guilt by association.

It's hard to imagine anyone writing or supporting a bill that violates so many Constitutional protections. For all the hand wringing over the need to protect the public, it seems the true motivation here is a quid pro quo pay-back to Michael Bloomberg and his anti-gun campaign funding. How little these people care about New Mexican's values and citizen rights.

David Tofsted, Ph.D., is chairman of the Doña Ana Republican Party

Extreme-risk laws a game-changer

Gov. Lujan Grisham has made the passage of an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) (HB7 and SB5) a priority. This lifesaving piece of legislation would allow families and law enforcement to petition to the courts to remove guns from individuals who pose a threat to themselves and others. It is worth a moment to reflect whether you have known an individual at some time in your life who, at least for some period of time, was not in a state of mind that would have been safe for them to be in possession of a gun.

Editor's note: SB5 was amended before being passed by the state Senate to allow only law enforcement officers to petition a court.

In terms of suicide prevention, ERPO laws are a proven game changer. One study from Duke University found that in the first 14 years of Connecticut’s extreme risk law, of the 732 risk warrants issued with suicide being listed as a concern, 99% found guns. The study estimated that for every 10 to 20 risk warrants issued, one life was saved. New Mexico has the 4th highest rate of suicide in the country, with the majority of those deaths resulting from a gun.

ERPO could potentially prevent mass shootings because people who may be at a high risk of dangerous behaviors often have access to firearms. In Florida, the family that housed the shooter in the Parkland tragedy that killed 17 and injured 17 others, was concerned one month before the shooting that the shooter had guns. After the Parkland shooting, Florida passed an ERPO law.

To date, 17 states have passed ERPO laws.

New Mexico has some of the worst gun violence in the country. Passage of SB5 has the potential to change the trajectory of gun violence in our state.

Miranda Viscoli, co-president of New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence

Thank you from GFWC

The Las Cruces GFWC Progress Club would like to thank all those who contributed to our recent Game Day event. A delicious lunch was served, followed by a fun-filled afternoon featuring various games, raffles, a silent auction, door prizes and a 50/50 cash prize.

We especially thank Toucan Market, Josefina’s Old Gate Café, Rocky Gurrola, LMT, Dillard’s, Veloz Homes, Janet Cruz (Lavish Nail Bar) and NMSU Golf Course for their generous donations.

Thank you also to the many Progress Club members and other individuals who donated cash, items for door prizes, and their time to help make this event such a success.

The purpose of our annual Progress Club Game Day is to raise funds to provide scholarships to local students, and donations to various charities in our community. The generosity and kindness of our Las Cruces Community is constantly demonstrated in so many ways. Again, our sincere thanks!

Mary Wilke, fundraiser chair

Donations to ASPCA help

Every time I see the TV ad with dogs left out in the cold, I have positive thoughts instead of changing the channel! The reason is that all of the donations to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) go directly to a fund that is given out in the form of competitive grants to local animal shelters.

In fact, the local shelter in Las Cruces, the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley, received a $15,000 grant a few years ago because of the volunteer work of local animal groups. So, yes! Please send your donations to the ASPCA for their work. It comes back to us and other communities that need our support.

Erick Richardson, Las Cruces

Making space (in calendar) for everyone?

I recently read "Las Cruces Space Festival jammed packed with eventful STEM themed programs" which highlighted myriad talks and presentations in and around Las Cruces meant to promote the blossoming local space industry. A video on the Sun-News website with LCSF Director Jonathan Firth mentioned the effect of large festivals on local employment and economic engagement. Specifically, Firth touched on the opportunity to showcase future prospects for possible outside investors.

This is all very exciting. Having recently moved to Las Cruces myself, I've been delighted to see groups like Virgin Galactic and SpinLaunch finally making use of Spaceport America after having read about various setbacks over the years. I love the idea of inviting new interested parties to engage in our corner of the industrial space race. What better way to do that than host a week-long festival highlighting the strengths of Las Cruces? Imagine my surprise when a friend of mine in the space industry pointed out that this festival is scheduled the very same week as the Colorado Springs National Space Symposium, the "biggest space conference of the year," where "literally everyone who is anyone in aerospace is (in attendance)."

Las Cruces has so much to offer potential customers. A willing workforce supplemented by a strong Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department at NMSU (home to an underused subsonic aerospace wind tunnel), a wonderful relationship with Spaceport America, and a whole lot of kids who have grown up hearing all about space! Let's hope next year, LCSF plans ahead to make space for "everyone who is anyone in aerospace."

Mark Garling-Spychala, Las Cruces

Stop profiting from tragedy

Why are the movie theaters here in Las Cruces allowed to charge for a "movie" about the unsolved murders at the Bowling Alley?

They should not profit from such a tragedy nor should it be brought up every year. Let the remaining survivors live their lives without having to be reminder of such a horrendous act!

The same applies to the Baby Brianna.

Let them Rest in Peace. We haven't forgotten them. God bless them all.

Jenny Griffith, Las Cruces