Jim Townsend explained that he will continue to move forward on the SB 8 Petition situation even after the SOS denied the second request and information today. For those of you that are not aware, it is against the law to circulate a petition concerning the attempt to invalidate a law that has not been approved by the SOS.
So... what Jim plans to do is circulate a different petition asking for support for the original request and the information it includes while raising several hundred thousand dollars to take the initiative to court. This petition should be ready sometime Saturday, April 13... apparently Gail Armstrong from Socorro county is spearheading that petition, and has told Jim Townsend that there will be a website ready to distribute the petition sometime tomorrow
As soon as that information is available he will advise all Republicans.
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NM House Republican Leader Jim Townsend Resubmits Referendum Petition On Anti-2nd Amendment SB 8 To SOS Townsend calls on Toulouse Oliver to let people decide. SANTA FE-This afternoon, House Republican Leader Jim Townsend (R-Artesia) renewed his effort to appeal for a public test of Senate Bill 8, legislation passed earlier this year that mandates citizen background checks on firearm sales in New Mexico. Townsend resubmitted his proposed draft petition to Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver for her office's review and approval to distribute to voters.
Townsend delivered a preliminary draft petition to the Secretary of State's Office on March 11, 2019. Toulouse Oliver rejected the draft on March 21, 2019, citing technical issues. Townsend addressed those issues in his response to Toulouse Oliver today. "Senate Bill 8 proposes to limit the constitutional rights of New Mexicans. I say let the people decide on this matter that directly impacts their civil liberties," said Townsend. "I have confidence in the citizens of New Mexico to determine if this legislation is right for our state. I hope the Secretary of State also has the same faith in New Mexicans and will uphold their right to have a referendum on Senate Bill 8."
Twenty-five counties in New Mexico have adopted 2nd Amendment sanctuary resolutions this year. In February, twenty-nine out of thirty-three county sheriffs signed a letter opposing the anti-2nd Amendment proposals being considered by the Legislature. In an interview with Stateline, Cibola County Sheriff Tony Mace, the chairman of the New Mexico Sheriffs' Association, called the legislation, "unenforceable, overreaching, unconstitutional and a gun grab." The Secretary of State's Office has ten days to respond to Townsend's petition.
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