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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton finds himself once again entangled in a legal dispute with the federal government, this time concerning the mandate for background checks in private gun sales.
In the spring, the Justice Department expanded regulations, necessitating background checks and licenses for private firearm transactions. These transactions, which frequently occur among acquaintances, relatives, and at gun shows, are now treated similarly to sales at licensed gun stores.
Paxton argues that these rules overstep constitutional boundaries, labeling them as an unconstitutional extension of federal regulations. Leading a coalition of multiple states, he is suing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for what he perceives as an infringement upon Americans’ Second Amendment rights to privately buy and sell firearms.
Expressing his concern, Paxton emphasizes that such actions should be legislatively vetted through Congress and seeks to halt the enforcement of these regulations through legal means.
In Paxton’s words, “Once again, Joe Biden is weaponizing the federal bureaucracy to rip up the Constitution and destroy our citizens’ Second Amendment rights.” He asserts that this lawsuit is a necessary step to defend constitutionally protected freedoms from perceived government overreach.
However, the Biden Administration frames this action as part of a broader strategy aimed at curbing the illegal circulation of firearms and holding accountable those who contribute to firearm-related crimes.
President Biden commented, “I’ve spent hours with families who’ve lost loved ones to gun violence. They all have the same message: ‘Do something.’” He expressed his Administration’s commitment to enhancing background checks to prevent firearms from falling into the hands of individuals with criminal histories or domestic violence records.
Paxton’s stance found support from Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and Wes Virdell, Texas State Director of Gun Owners of America, who also joined the legal battle as co-plaintiffs.
Both Paxton and Kobach anticipate a swift decision from the court within a month’s time.