Several GOP-led states have filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over a federal rule that will require background checks on individuals selling firearms online and at gun shows. Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Utah argue that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its authority in implementing the rule and that it violates the Second Amendment. The lawsuit also includes gun rights groups and an individual gun owner from Amarillo, Texas.
The lawsuit claims that the requirement for obtaining a license to deal in firearms is a modern invention and that the ATF’s attempt to implement policy changes through bureaucratic fiat is unconstitutional. The lawsuit names the ATF, the bureau’s director, the Justice Department, and Attorney General Merrick Garland as defendants. However, DOJ and ATF declined to comment on the lawsuit, which was filed in Amarillo, Texas, ensuring its assignment to a conservative judge known for issuing nationwide injunctions against federal policies.
The new ATF rule, scheduled to take effect on May 20, aims to close the “gun show loophole” by defining more specifically what it means to be “engaged in the business” of selling firearms. By increasing the requirements to obtain a federal firearms license, the Justice Department hopes to regulate the market more effectively and encourage compliance with background check requirements. The lawsuit challenges the legality and constitutionality of this rule, setting the stage for a legal battle over gun control measures.
Overall, the lawsuit represents a broader ideological conflict between gun control advocates and Second Amendment supporters over the regulation of firearms sales. The Biden administration’s efforts to tighten background check requirements face opposition from GOP-led states and gun rights groups, who argue that the new rule infringes upon individual rights and oversteps federal authority. As the legal battle unfolds, the outcome may have far-reaching implications for gun control policies and regulations in the United States.
CNN’s Hannah Rabinowitz contributed to the report, highlighting the media coverage and public interest surrounding the lawsuit and its potential implications. As the debate over gun control continues to unfold, the clash between state and federal authority, individual rights, and public safety will shape the future of firearm regulations in the country. The outcome of this legal challenge could set a precedent for future gun control measures and government interventions in the firearms market.
