Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN Legal & Legislation

26 States File Suit Against ATF

Thursday, May 2, 2024

26 States File Suit Against ATF

Fairfax, Virginia – May 1, 2024…Today, a total of 26 States filed three separate lawsuits against the ATF’s new rule redefining who is “engaged in the business” of dealing in firearms. As NRA previously warned, this new rule threatens to turn tens of thousands of upstanding citizens into criminals for exercising their constitutional rights by selling even a single firearm.

Kansas, et al. v. Garland, et al.: The first suit, led by a 21-State coalition, was filed against Attorney General Merrick Garland, the Buruea of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), ATF Director Steven Dettelbach, and the Department of Justice in the Eastern District of Arkansas. The plaintiffs argue that the rule must be invalidated (1) under the Administrative Procedure Act, because the ATF exceeded its authority by redefining various terms in federal law; (2) under the Second Amendment, because the rule violates the right to sell arms; (3) under the Separation of Powers, because through the rule the executive branch is both construing and rewriting a federal statute; and (4) because the rule is too vague to give a person of reasonable intelligence fair notice of what conduct is prohibited.

Texas, et al. v. ATF, et al.: The second suit, led by Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Utah, was filed in the Northern District of Texas against the same defendants as the first, and repeats many of the arguments. The plaintiffs additionally argue, however, that the rule violates the Fourth Amendment by granting the ATF the authority to enter any licensed dealer’s premises during business hours to inspect their records, documents, or firearms.

Florida v. ATF, et al.: The third suit, filed by Florida against the same defendants in the Middle District of Florida, challenged the rule for several violations of the Administrative Procedure Act.

In response to the lawsuits, the NRA issued a statement lauding the States for their defense of the right to keep and bear arms: “The NRA applauds the coalition of States for boldly challenging the Biden Administration’s rogue ATF, which has relentlessly assailed Second Amendment rights. Undeterred by having three of its most recent Rules restricting gun rights invalidated by federal courts, the ATF’s new Rule restricts Americans’ rights to sell even a single firearm. The ATF has exceeded its authority once again, and we expect that this new Rule will be invalidated as well.”

TRENDING NOW
Trump’s DOJ Will Participate in Oral Arguments in Illinois Semi-Auto Ban Case

News  

Monday, September 15, 2025

Trump’s DOJ Will Participate in Oral Arguments in Illinois Semi-Auto Ban Case

Within six months of the landmark United States Supreme Court decision of NYSRPA v. Bruen (2022), Illinois disregarded the Court’s clear directives and enacted into law H.B. 5741, the Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA). 

Armed Citizens: Not Just an American Concept

News  

Monday, September 15, 2025

Armed Citizens: Not Just an American Concept

We frequently post stories about law-abiding citizens who, by exercising their rights protected under the Second Amendment, bring an end to violent criminal assaults.  

New York Law Imperils U.S. Olympic Target Shooting, Favors China’s Dominance

News  

Monday, September 15, 2025

New York Law Imperils U.S. Olympic Target Shooting, Favors China’s Dominance

As U.S. shooting sports athletes prepare for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, New York law is burdening target shooters in the Empire State.

Third Circuit Strikes Some New Jersey Carry Restrictions in NRA Case

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Third Circuit Strikes Some New Jersey Carry Restrictions in NRA Case

Yesterday, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion in Siegel v. Platkin, striking some of the carry restrictions New Jersey enacted in response to the NRA’s landmark Supreme Court victory, New York State Rifle & ...

“Sensitive Places” Embolden Criminals and Threaten the Law-abiding

News  

Monday, September 15, 2025

“Sensitive Places” Embolden Criminals and Threaten the Law-abiding

A beyond horrific murder flashed before our eyes in recent weeks, and a nation collectively mourned Iryna Zarutska after the sickening attack that took her life on a public train in Charlotte, North Carolina

California: Legislature Adjourns with Anti-Gun Bills Headed to the Governor's Desk

Monday, September 15, 2025

California: Legislature Adjourns with Anti-Gun Bills Headed to the Governor's Desk

On Friday the California State Legislature adjourned the 2025 legislative session in typical California fashion, advancing anti-gun legislation to Governor Newsom's desk. Contact Governor Newsome today and urge his veto of AB 1078, AB 1127, AB ...

Gun Control “Journalist” Says the Quiet Part Out Loud

News  

Monday, September 8, 2025

Gun Control “Journalist” Says the Quiet Part Out Loud

Pure gun control. As in disarmament and banning of firearms. It’s rare that anti-gunners get straight to the exact point that we have been warning of for decades. 

Colorado: CSSA Files Suit Challenging "Polis Permission Slip" Permit-to-Purchase Law

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Colorado: CSSA Files Suit Challenging "Polis Permission Slip" Permit-to-Purchase Law

Last week, the Colorado State Shooting Association (CSSA), the official state affiliate of NRA, filed a lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 25-003...

Minnesota: Senate Gun Violence Prevention Working Group Meeting on Monday

Friday, September 12, 2025

Minnesota: Senate Gun Violence Prevention Working Group Meeting on Monday

On Monday, September 15th, the Minnesota Senate will hold a special working group on "gun violence prevention."

The Desperate Deflection to the “Red State Murder Problem”

News  

Monday, September 8, 2025

The Desperate Deflection to the “Red State Murder Problem”

California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) may have thought he had scored against President Donald Trump in a recent war of words over rampant crime and the deployment of federal law enforcement agents to Democratic-led cities

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.