Taking New Mexico Back, One Vote at a Time

I have written about New Mexico several times over the years; each time pertaining to gun rights. Despite (or because of) the abysmal leadership within the State, where Democrats hold the House, Senate and Governorship for the past decade, crime rates continue to skyrocket. Of course, for Democrats, increased crime means “doing something,” which history shows us their solutions are more taxes and gun control. Obviously, neither has worked as New Mexico remains in the top 5 homicide rates for the entire nation. Repeatedly, increasing numbers of gun control bills find their way across the Governor’s desk, either from the legislature or directly on her personal unconstitutional orders, many of which I’m sure you are familiar with. 

With many friends in New Mexico, both in and out of the firearms industry and advocacy circles, I hear about just how bad things really are. So, at what point is “enough is enough?” 

For Ergo Grip’s CEO and President, Mira O’Connell, that time has passed. Building upon her 15 years of law enforcement experience in New Mexico and her firearms industry experience, Mira decided to infiltrate the “anti-2A” state capitol to bring about positive change, and .is petitioning to get on the ballot for the 2026 U.S. senatorial race. When I heard about her decision, I was excited for the people of New Mexico and reached out to Mira to get her thoughts on bringing sanity and gun rights back to the State. 

Mira, you are the owner of Ergo Grips, can you tell me how being in a state that supports strict gun control laws has impacted your business?

Our family business has been negatively impacted by the consumer restrictions put in place by the states of Illinois, Washington, and California. We have been blessed that all the harmful bills that New Mexico legislators have proposed have been unsuccessful due to strong statewide bipartisan constituent opposition. We remain vigilant however in communicating with our elected representatives regarding our opposition to any bills that have gun infringements. 

What direction do you see the state of New Mexico heading in?

The leaders of the state of New Mexico are more focused on special interest groups recently during the legislative process rather than addressing real issues and areas of concerns with any meaningful solutions and working towards making far reaching legislation that could improve the quality of lives of all New Mexicans. Much of this is due to a party that’s national agenda is problem oriented, with no focus on real solutions for change that will positively impact the citizens of New Mexico. Meanwhile, the children of New Mexico are being left behind with the worse education system in the country and New Mexico legislature focusing on passing policies that continue to burden small business and fail to address the important issues of crime and poor economy in our state. 

Have you noticed any patterns of increased demands for gun control legislation from New Mexicans? 

Yes, with our current state government administration, lawmakers have been very focused on gun control, despite the serious lack of community support for it. They have been pushing the national party anti-gun agenda, despite it being harmful for the citizens of New Mexico and wildly unpopular. This trend of politicians putting their party agendas above their constituents’ needs and wants is highly concerning and a large motivator in me running for office as an independent. We as a nation have strayed from the Declaration of Independence’s assertion that governments derive their just powers from “the consent of the governed” and elected officials have forgotten that the government is – of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Why did you decide to run for Congress, and what is your primary goal as an elected representative of New Mexicans?

Despite almost half of the state of New Mexico voting conservative in statewide races, conservatives are not being represented at a national level in New Mexico and have been overlooked in representation since 2009. This is due in large part to gerrymandering and then also the decline of the Republican Party in the state. In February, it was announced that the Republicans had failed to qualify a pre-primary convention designation candidate for the U.S. Senate race this year. This has not happened since New Mexico became a U.S. State. 

My primary goal is to give the people of New Mexico a voice in Washington D.C.; a commonsense politician that is focused on helping NM communities at a federal level and acting in the best interest of those that elected me, rather than someone who is hindered and restricted by party affiliation. Elected officials must be unencumbered of outside influences in their decision making by party politics or donor influences, which run contrary to their constituents’ wellbeing and best interest. 

What level of personal safety do you feel in New Mexico? 

New Mexico is a beautiful and wonderful place to live, rich in history and geographic wonders. I have been a New Mexico resident for 30 years and I very much love living here. I want to help improve the quality of life for the citizens of this amazing state.

New Mexico ranks highest in crime amongst states and lowest in education. The largest city in New Mexico, Albuquerque, has seen a recent slight decline in violent crime, but still ranks high among major US cities. It currently ranks in the top 10 in the Nation for Violent Crimes and Property Crimes. 

With crime being such an important issue, we need pragmatic leaders who will come up with real solutions to reduce crime. New Mexico elected officials have a track record of trying to take away law abiding citizens’ rights to defend themselves, rather than focusing on criminals and reducing crime recidivism. We need leaders who will make correlations with crime and border security and realize that their duties are to their constituents and the safety and sanctity of our state, not to party agendas.

Would you ever go out without carrying a firearm?

I believe that carrying a firearm is not only an individual’s inalienable right, but also a very valuable tool for personal safety. I think we need to work to make sure these rights are protected. I would like to see less restrictions on personal carry and I am a proponent of removing the site-specific restrictions that have been placed on various places such as national parks (building), buses etc. Buses in particular pose a huge violation of rights for people that rely on public transportation that is not getting addressed at a national level. Restrictions of constitutional rights on public transportation cause a further marginalization of a population that is already at an economic disadvantage. 

It’s important to note, Mira also said that “independent voters are at an all-time high statewide as people have grown tired of the polarizing politics of the two national parties. Voters are looking for change[and] bipartisanship in our Capital, for the wellbeing of the people to be placed higher than political agendas.”

New Mexico has as many independent voters as registered Republicans. Conservatives in New Mexico cross party lines with conservative independents, Blue Dog Democrats, as well as Republicans since Republicans alone do not have enough registered voters to win a statewide election. If we want to save the conservative values, then conservatives must join across party lines to win the U.S. Senate seat back.

I for one am proud of Mira’s decision to become part of the solution and encourage everyone to become involved across your communities. You don’t have to become a candidate to bring about change. Social media highlights, articles, volunteering on campaigns or helping to bridge the gap between gun owners and non-gun owners through civil discourse and education; ALL make a difference. 

If you are a Registered New Mexico Voter, you can sign Mira’s Nomination Petition here to give New Mexicans a pro-freedom, pro-2A choice this November on the Ballot! 

Editor’s Note: Second Amendment advocates across the country are doing everything they can to protect our right to keep and bear arms and right to self-defense.

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