New York Attorney General Letitia James and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell have co-led a coalition of 22 attorneys general in support of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) rule aimed at preventing illegal gun trafficking. The rule requires private gun sellers to obtain a license and conduct background checks on potential buyers. This coalition filed an amicus brief in Texas v. ATF, arguing that the rule is essential for public safety and preventing dangerous individuals from obtaining guns illegally.
“Gun violence causes so much pain and suffering throughout the country, and we know that gun safety laws are an important tool to help tackle this crisis,” said Attorney General James. “For too long, gun traffickers and criminals got away with buying weapons from private sellers to avoid restrictions that would prevent them from buying a gun. The commonsense rule advanced by ATF will address this problem and help prevent illegal gun trafficking to keep our communities safer by placing more regulations on private sellers. I am proud to co-lead this effort with my fellow attorneys general and we will continue fighting to stop gun violence.”
Following mass shootings at Tops Supermarket in Buffalo, NY, and a school in Uvalde, Texas, Congress passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA). This act closed loopholes that allowed traffickers and criminals to obtain guns without background checks by expanding the definition of gun sellers to include additional private sellers.
The coalition contends that unlicensed sales by private sellers facilitate access for those who cannot legally purchase firearms, thereby endangering communities. Examples cited include a mass shooting at a bar in St. Paul, Minnesota; the murder of a Chicago Police officer; and a mass shooting at a block party in Brooklyn. The ATF’s rule aims to make it harder for dangerous individuals to acquire guns illegally.
Joining Attorney General James in filing the amicus brief are attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey North Carolina Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin as well as the District of Columbia.
Attorney General James has been active in efforts against gun violence across New York State and nationwide. In September 2024 she urged Congress to address gun trafficking in Caribbean countries In August 2024 she led another coalition supporting state federal laws regulating firearm sales Earlier actions include dismantling ghost-gun trafficking networks securing significant judgments against illegal firearm retailers leading multistate coalitions supporting ATF rules
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