At least one Republican who voted for the gun control legislation this week which Gov. Martinez says she will sign, has begun to voice excuses for his vote.  In the case we are going to look into it was in the form of a Facebook post which can be found here on what was Rep. Baldonaldo’s campaign Facebook page ‘Vote Alonzo!’.  The complete text is also found below:

I did vote for HB77. Why? Very difficult vote to make. HB 77 at its start was a horrible 2nd amendment right infringement. AFTER amending it was not nearly the bill it started as.

So when you buy a handgun (new or used) from Gunhawk or say Guns and Gold Pawn you fill out at NICS. When you shop on line you make a purchase (new or used) and have to receive that firearm to one of your local FFL dealers and fill out a NICS. So with this bill you would have to fill out a NICS when you buy that same firearm (new or used) at a ‘gun show.’ NOT when you give your guns to your son, or sell a gun to your buddy. Also, if you have a Concealed Carry Permit you can use that to make your gun show purchase. No tracking, no registering, no backgrounds for passing guns on in the family.

I am not a traitor, or a Benedict Arnold. I am an NRA member, gun owner and enjoy shooting sports. I live and represent a district that has a diverse mix of voters. If you are a conservative and enjoy the number of conservative thinking people in the NM House (more than there has been in a generation) you will understand that sometimes those of us in ‘tight’ districts have to make tough votes. If you want to criticize the vote, that is your prerogative.

Please remember as a REPRESENTATIVE I have to listen to the voters that I represent Not just one group that you agree with.

Those of you that really know me know that I serve God. I answer to God and God alone. I have always said if the voters do not want Baldonado in the House they will vote him out. I take my position seriously and think and pray before each vote. I am very conservative, one of the most conservative in Santa Fe….just ask around.

3 Democratic Representatives voted NO on HB 77….I wonder if that makes them conservative?

Alonzo

Rep. Baldonaldo (Republican- District 8) agrees that the bill started out as a terrible piece of legislation.  It was actually so bad it  could not even pass the Judiciary Committee, but he seems to believe that since it was changed to only slightly restrict the second amendment it is now a bill which he could then support. There is no mention of the bill’s loosely defined restrictions for people who are deemed mentally unstable by courts, which could easily misinterpreted to restrict gun owners in additional ways.

It is then explained by Rep. Baldonaldo how under this bill people who purchase a firearm at a gun show must submit to registration, a fee and a background check.  How is this not restricting freedom, our gun rights and the 2nd Amendment?

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

– Second Amendment to the United States Constitution

What part of the second amendment do our Representatives fail to understand?

No law shall abridge the right of the citizen to keep and bear arms for security and defense, for lawful hunting and recreational use and for other lawful purposes, but nothing herein shall be held to permit the carrying of concealed weapons. No municipality or county shall regulate, in any way, an incident of the right to keep and bear arms.

  – Article 1. Sec 6. of NM State Constitution

Then we see the denial.  I must admit I was not the first to deem those who supported HB-77 people of Benedict Arnold’s caliber, but I did write about it here yesterday.  Saying one is a member of the National Rifle Association does not mean they are immune to making stupid decisions and irresponsible voting.  Every person is faced with important and difficult decisions.  The harder the decision, the more blessing one has after doing right.  Baldonado and seven of his fellow Republicans failed that test this week.  There are times when one must do right regardless of the consequences:

I am not a traitor, or a Benedict Arnold. I am an NRA member, gun owner and enjoy shooting sports. I live and represent a district that has a diverse mix of voters. If you are a conservative and enjoy the number of conservative thinking people in the NM House (more than there has been in a generation) you will understand that sometimes those of us in ‘tight’ districts have to make tough votes. If you want to criticize the vote, that is your prerogative.

And he chose to follow the lead of Nate Gentry,  going against the best interest of the state’s citizens and the state’s constitution?

Please remember as a REPRESENTATIVE I have to listen to the voters that I represent Not just one group that you agree with.

Yes, you answer to God first, but when you run for office and were elected you became the servant of the people and are now accountable not only to God, but to the people of the state of New Mexico whom you serve.  As a Representative who has sworn to uphold the Constitution of the state of New Mexico you are responsible to the people of this state.

Those of you that really know me know that I serve God. I answer to God and God alone. I have always said if the voters do not want Baldonado in the House they will vote him out. I take my position seriously and think and pray before each vote. I am very conservative, one of the most conservative in Santa Fe….just ask around.

As the Bible says, “Better is it that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.” Ecclesiastes 5:5

If one has a difficulty protecting and upholding the New Mexico’s Constitution, perhaps one should not plan on being elected to an office.  Being conservative is a collection of issues, caring for life and defending life are two important issues.  Providing a path for the eventual disarmament of our state’s citizens is not protecting life or being conservative.

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After Rep. Baldonaldo’s Facebook post he received many comments regarding his position on HB-77, many were suggestions on how the bill restricted our second amendment rights or concerns regarding some vague definitions in wording.

Comments disappeared.  Rep. Baldonaldo clearly does not wish to face the criticism he may receive for supporting such irresponsible legislation.  During this time I watched the comments and though they may have been firm, they were not rude, it was simply criticism.  Then a reply:

Comments such as: ‘Thanks for communicating with your constituents.’ are allowed, but asking about a Republicans loyalty to the party platform of personal responsibility or concern about our gun rights are deemed ‘attacks’ and ‘will not stay posted.’

And what country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance?

– Thomas Jefferson