Grants, New Mexico, Mayor Martin Hicks and several city councilors want to end the city’s annual Historic Route 66 Fire and Ice Bike Rally because of a spike in crime at the event last month and fears of a “major incident” breaking out at future events.
According to the Cibola County Beacon newspaper:
According to Grants Police Department Chief Craig Vandiver, there were nearly 150 openly armed men and women in the City’s parks on Saturday, July 18, during the 15th Annual Fire and Ice Bike Rally. “In comparison,” said Vandiver, “there was only one open carry person during and following the Fourth of July parade at Fire and Ice Park.”
On Sunday, Vandiver said he recognized 60 people who were openly carrying a weapon.
Vandiver also testified to the mayor and councilors that there was a big spike in crime during the weekend of the rally, including many fights, and one of his officer’s was hurt while trying to break up a fight at one of the area hotels. “I understand all of this was not in the Parks. However, almost all incidents were related to the Rally. My job is public safety. I don’t feel this amount of guns in our parks is safe.”
Vandiver added that he did not recognize the majority of the people openly carrying. In other words, the people openly carrying a weapon were not from the Grants area.
Councilor Michael Lewis said, “We are asking for trouble. It’s a numbers game. Eventually something will explode.”
Hicks said, “Bullets don’t discriminate. I don’t want that many guns here, not in our parks.”
Hicks also said about 100 Banditos, a notorious biker gang in New Mexico, also rode into town that weekend and forced other bikers to removed their vests.
Hicks didn’t mention it explicitly, but the wild shootout in May at a Twin Peaks restaurant in Waco, Texas, that killed nine people and injured 18 others undoubtedly was on his mind. And the Banditos were thick in the middle of that fracas.
In case you’re wondering, New Mexico is an open-carry state, which allows the open carry of loaded firearms without a permit. Concealed-carry of firearms requires a permit. This arrangement seems completely backwards, but that’s another topic.
The newspaper reports the city council has discussed replacing the Fire and Ice Rally with a Route 66 car and motorcycle show, but no official decisions have been made.
The Fire and Ice Rally was on shaky financial footing for much of its history. That — along with the prospect of openly armed motorcycle gangs roaming about — likely will be the last straws for that festival.
(Image from the Historic Route 66 Fire and Ice Rally via Facebook)
Freedom is SO scary…..
I am glad. Was a lousy rally anyway. To damn hot. And I-40 is damn dangerous. Bike Clubs controlled the peace. Cops were there to make the village and state money.
The Grants City Councel will not be happy until ALL bikers are forced out. I really don’t know how they can count that many guns in the city parks or for a matter of fact that many Banditos. I was there and the Banditos(in force)were not even in the city of Grants. It was just because of what happened in Waco that prompted the Mayors decision. That is descrimination at its worst. Not ALL bikers are bad.