More than two dozen Republican state attorneys general filed lawsuits against the Biden administration on Wednesday to block a new rule requiring gun dealers to obtain licenses and conduct background checks for firearms sold at gun shows and online. The rule, aimed at closing the "gun show loophole," would subject those selling weapons at such venues to the same background check requirements as gun stores. Although the rule has not yet taken effect, U.S. Justice Department officials estimate it will impact tens of thousands of gun sales annually.
President Joe Biden has urged Congress to pass legislation mandating universal background checks and banning assault-style rifles. However, Republican lawmakers argue that such laws would infringe on the Second Amendment's gun rights protections. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, in announcing the state's lawsuit, accused the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives of overstepping its authority in issuing the new rule.
Several states, including Louisiana, Missouri, and Utah, as well as Gun Owners of America and other gun rights advocacy groups, joined Texas in its lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Amarillo, Texas. The court, where Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, appointed by former President Donald Trump, is the only active judge, has become a favored venue for conservatives challenging Biden administration policies.
A second lawsuit, led by Arkansas and Kansas and joined by 19 other states, was filed in Arkansas. Additionally, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody filed a separate complaint in federal court in Tampa.
A spokesperson for the Justice Department declined to comment on the lawsuits.