PHOENIX (AP) — Gun store owners in states on the U.S.-Mexico border are suing the acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. At issue is a new requirement that owners alert federal authorities if someone buys multiple high-powered rifles over five days.
The new requirement is only for gun stores in the four states that border Mexico: California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
It goes into effect Aug. 14 and stems from a law enforcement operation in Arizona that resulted in high-powered weapons flowing into Mexico.
The gun store owners argue that the requirement is unlawful, would hurt them economically and invades the privacy of their customers.
The lawsuits were filed in Washington, D.C., Texas and New Mexico on Wednesday and Thursday. The National Rifle Association is funding them.
Masterrogue666 posted at 12:21 am on Mon, Aug 8, 2011.
I'm not sure how many guns are required to be considered "multiple". I also don't know what it costs to "alert" the Feds. However, I doubt it occurs very often, so I don't see how it could be such a negative effect (especially if said cost is spread over several guns). However, I do think it should be required in all 50 states, not just border states, otherwise you leave a loophole that will be used by savy people trying to hide the fact that they are buying so many guns....