1) Random noise

Their particular governor is a public health bureaucrat rather than career politician so she was deaf to the possible political consequences & had just seen massive power seized in state of emergency during covid. She gave a talk a few months back outlining that she wanted to push every aspect of left politics via state of emergency. She was talking about trans, climate change, etc as being rammed through this way.

2) New Mexico is not an anti-gun stronghold

CA, NY, NJ, and others have a longstanding Fabian strategy for unwinding gun rights. I don't think New Mexico does as much, which creates the possibility for radical error since she's not running from an instiutionally-supported playbook.

According to wiki:

"New Mexico is among states with some of the least restrictive firearms laws in the country. Being part of the Intermountain West, New Mexico is home to a strong gun culture, which is reflected in New Mexico's constitution and gun laws."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_New_Mexico

3) New Mexico is small

If it backfires the political damage is minimal. In contrast a bigger state would attract even more attention and if voting patterns change in a large blue stronghold it would be catastrophic.

Where Breaking Bad was filmed and, lots of crime. Totally wrong approach of course

This article has a pretty good take on why.

https://enblocpress.com/enfield-report/new-mexico-carry-ban/