Sen. Joseph Cervantes appeals for civility amidst escalating tensions over Senate Bill 279 and the resulting death threat.
Key Insights
- Sen. Joseph Cervantes called for civility and condemned the death threat over Senate Bill 279.
- The threat was linked to a misleading Republican Party social media post.
- Cervantes, not a bill proponent, emphasizes his commitment as a responsible gun owner.
- Minority Floor Leader William Sharer condemned threats despite defending the post.
Tensions Over Senate Bill 279
New Mexico is embroiled in heated debates over Senate Bill 279, which seeks to impose firearm regulations. Though not a proponent, Sen. Joseph Cervantes oversees the bill’s review as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Amidst the charged atmosphere, Cervantes faced a chilling death threat, prompting him to urge for civil discourse and ask Senate Republicans to denounce such threats.
The threat linked to a Republican Party social media post falsely accused Cervantes of orchestrating a gun ban. The post also disclosed his personal contact details. Despite denials from Minority Floor Leader William Sharer about the post’s veracity, he urged an end to violent rhetoric. The post suggested that Cervantes’ actions were akin to treason and incited discussions about the death penalty.
Sen. Cervantes’ Commitment to Civility
Cervantes, emphasizing his opposition to gun bans, reaffirmed his legislative obligations. Without filing a police report, he remains committed to the discourse, determining to proceed with the bill’s hearings. He decried the misinformation, urging cooperative dialogues.
“I’m a big boy, so I’m used to politics, distortions, lies and mistruths,” Cervantes said on the Senate floor. “But when it leads to some of the comments that were made on that Republican website that include my home address, GPS coordinates to my home and a suggestion that I’m treasonous and that the penalty for treason is death — it really requires me to stand up and say: Let’s work together cooperatively, intelligently and ask you all to denounce that type of rhetoric.” – Sen. Joseph Cervantes
This reflects the broader need for civil discourse and responsibility in political debates, especially on sensitive issues like gun control. The fusion of false assertions and violent threats underscores the delicate environment legislators operate within.
Calls for Responsible Political Dialogue
While the incident spotlights political discord, it also reaffirms the need for responsible communication. Cervantes’ call for civility serves as a reminder of the essential role of respectful debate in democracy. Emphasizing cooperation over conflict, he calls for intelligent exchange, highlighting the gravity of legislative responsibilities amidst potential endangerments.
“I reject the idea that it was a lie, mostly because the chair of the committee gets to decide what happens in that committee, and certainly we were told that this was getting ready to happen in that committee,” Sharer said on the floor. “So, while I understand his concern, and I deeply, deeply, deeply do not condone any violence or any threat of violence — for that, I ask whoever’s out there doing that: Stop. Stop.” – William Sharer
Through heated deliberations over policies like Senate Bill 279, the critical focus remains on prioritizing respectful communication and collective problem-solving.
Sources
1. Lawmaker receives death threat over gun ban bill
2. Senator calls for ‘civility’ after death threat following New Mexico GOP post
