Attorney General Henry joins multistate coalition to protect regulations on gun sales
HARRISBURG – Attorney General Michelle Henry has joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general, led by New York, in support of state and federal laws regulating the sale of guns. The coalition filed an amicus brief in U.S. v. Steven Perez, arguing that federal laws preventing individuals from transporting or receiving firearms from outside their state of residence are essential for public safety. The brief, submitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, asserts that these regulations help reduce violent crime and support law enforcement investigations.
“Preventing guns from crossing state lines– except when federally allowed– will keep guns from getting into the wrong hands through unlawful transfers like straw purchases,” Attorney General Henry stated. “My Office will continue our efforts to combat gun violence by exposing and holding bad actors culpable for violating the laws. I am thankful for the opportunity to work collaboratively with other Attorneys General to encourage strong gun regulations on the state and federal level.”
In 2020, Steven Perez received illegally purchased weapons from an unlicensed firearms dealer in South Carolina that were transported to him in New York City. Mr. Perez was later arrested, prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced to prison in New York. He is now appealing his conviction handed down by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, claiming it violates his Second Amendment right to carry a firearm.
The multistate coalition argues that federal regulations related to transporting guns across state lines protect public safety, strengthen state gun laws, and do not infringe on Second Amendment rights. The attorneys general explain that state regulations of firearms dealers prevent misuse of guns and aid law enforcement in investigating gun-related crimes. For instance, 17 states, including New York, require licensed firearms dealers to maintain detailed records of their inventory and sales, assisting law enforcement in investigating violent crime and keeping communities safer by ensuring thorough information is available.
Joining Attorney General Henry in filing this amicus brief are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.