Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has initiated legal action against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) under the U.S. Department of Justice. The lawsuit challenges recent changes to rules governing private firearms sales, which Murrill argues infringe upon constitutional rights.
The state is part of a coalition that includes Texas, Mississippi, and Utah in opposing these new regulations. The Justice Department's updated rules now require background checks and licenses for private gun sales. Critics claim this could effectively end gun shows and prohibit private transactions between citizens.
Under the new rule, individuals would need to obtain a license and complete a background check to sell firearms privately. This change has been described by opponents as unconstitutional and intrusive, potentially classifying many law-abiding gun owners as dealers or criminals for participating in what they consider protected activities.
Attorney General Liz Murrill expressed strong opposition to the changes: “These new rules clearly violate the Second Amendment. The Biden administration continues to recklessly attack our constitutional rights. Louisiana will challenge them every step of the way.”