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The lawsuits challenge a rule finalized last month that U.S.
Justice Department officials said is aimed at closing the "gun
show loophole." Under the rule, those selling weapons at gun
shows, other venues and over the internet are subject to the
same requirements as gun stores to check the backgrounds of
potential buyers.
The rule, which has not yet taken effect, will affect tens of
thousands of gun sales a year, according to the Biden
administration.
President Joe Biden has called on Congress to pass legislation
requiring universal background checks and banning assault-style
rifles, but Republican lawmakers oppose such laws as infringing
on the U.S. Constitution's 2nd Amendment gun rights protections.
In announcing his state's lawsuit, Texas Attorney General Ken
Paxton said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives had exceeded its authority in promulgating the new
rule.
"With today's lawsuit, it is my great honor to defend our
Constitutionally protected freedoms from the out-of-control
federal government," he said.
Louisiana, Missouri and Utah, along with Gun Owners of America
and other gun rights advocacy groups, joined the Texas lawsuit.
The case was filed in federal court in Amarillo, Texas, whose
only active judge, Matthew Kacsmaryk, was appointed by
Republican former President Donald Trump. The court has become a
preferred 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. In addition, Florida
Attorney General Ashley Moody filed a separate complaint in
federal court in Tampa.
A spokesperson for the Justice Department declined to comment.
(Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Leslie Adler)
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