Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is leading a multistate coalition, which includes Louisiana, Missouri, and Utah, in a lawsuit against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) of the U.S. Department of Justice for attempting to restrict Americans' constitutional right to privately buy and sell firearms.
The coalition is challenging the ATF's new Final Rule, which they argue exceeds the agency's authority granted by Congress and violates the Second Amendment. Attorney General Paxton emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "This is a dramatic escalation of his tyrannical abuse of authority. With today’s lawsuit, it is my great honor to defend our Constitutionally-protected freedoms from the out-of-control federal government."
Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes expressed concerns over the ATF's actions, noting that the agency is attempting to require citizens selling even a single firearm to obtain a license. Reyes added, "Utah is proud to join the 26 states—in three separate lawsuits—protecting their citizens from this bureaucratic overreach."
Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch criticized the ATF's regulation, stating, "The Second Amendment could never have contemplated this kind of regulation and it will not withstand scrutiny in the courts." Fitch highlighted Mississippi's support for the citizens involved in the lawsuit against the Biden Administration's anti-gun agenda.
The multistate coalition led by Attorney General Ken Paxton aims to seek injunctive relief to halt the enforcement of the ATF's new regulation while the legal process unfolds.