Twenty-six Republican attorneys general have filed lawsuits challenging a new Biden administration rule that requires firearms dealers to run background checks on buyers at gun shows and other venues outside of traditional stores. The rule aims to close a loophole that allows unlicensed dealers to sell guns without conducting background checks, raising concerns about the potential for firearms to end up in the hands of prohibited buyers. The attorneys general argue that the rule violates the Second Amendment and that President Biden does not have the authority to implement it without Congressional approval. The lawsuits, filed in federal courts in Arkansas, Florida, and Texas, seek to block enforcement of the rule.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Department of Justice have not commented on the lawsuit, but Biden administration officials have expressed confidence that the rule, which received over 380,000 public comments, will withstand legal challenges. The contentious issue of gun control is likely to be a key point of contention in the 2024 presidential campaign, with GOP voters advocating for fewer restrictions on guns and Democrats calling for tighter regulations on firearms. President Biden has made gun violence prevention a priority during his administration, creating the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and pushing for a ban on assault weapons. Democrats have become more open to restrictions on these high-powered firearms in recent years.
Gun control advocates have long advocated for closing the gun show loophole, which allows sales without background checks, and have praised the new rule requiring checks at all gun sales locations. Groups like Brady, which work to reduce gun violence, support the measure as a step towards preventing tragedies caused by firearms. The push for stricter gun control measures is part of a larger effort to reduce gun violence in the United States, where mass shootings and other gun-related deaths continue to be a pressing issue. Biden’s campaign for re-election is likely to center on his efforts to curb gun violence and increase regulation of firearms in the country.
The legal battle over the new rule on background checks for gun sales is likely to intensify as the lawsuits progress through the courts. Republican attorneys general are steadfast in their opposition to the measure, citing constitutional concerns and questioning the president’s authority to implement such regulations. Meanwhile, Democrats and gun control advocates are rallying in support of the rule, believing it to be a crucial step towards enhancing public safety and reducing gun violence. The outcome of the legal challenges surrounding the rule will have significant implications for the future of gun control in the United States and may shape the political landscape leading up to the 2024 presidential election.
The dispute over the background check rule underscores the deep ideological divide on the issue of gun rights and gun control in the United States. While Republicans and some conservative groups view the rule as a violation of Second Amendment rights, Democrats and advocates for gun control see it as a necessary measure to prevent gun violence and protect public safety. The legal battle is likely to draw attention and fuel debate on gun policy, with both sides mobilizing their supporters and making the issue a central focus of political discourse. As the lawsuits progress, the impact of the rule on gun sales and background checks will continue to be a contentious issue, shaping public opinion and influencing policy decisions on firearms regulations in the country.
