Knudsen leads State Attorneys General Demanding Answers from Biden Administration

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen recently announced his collaboration with Kansas AG Kris Kobach and Iowa AG Brenna Bird to spearhead a coalition of 26 attorneys general, alongside the Arizona State Legislature. Together, they are opposing the Biden administration’s blatant infringement on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans, which they deem unconstitutional.

The coalition submitted a formal comment letter addressing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) proposed rulemaking concerning the “Definition of ‘Engaged in Business’ as a Dealer in Firearms.” According to the letter, the ATF’s proposed rule takes an unprecedented approach by holding any individual who sells a firearm “predominantly for profit” liable to civil, administrative, or even criminal penalties unless the seller obtains a federal license.

This alteration in definition resulted from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), which amended the “engaged in business” definition. The National Rifle Association (NRA) had previously cautioned that the BSCA could be subject to abuse, and the coalition now asserts that these concerns have been validated.

Attorney General Knudsen strongly condemned the proposed rule, labeling it a blatant violation of every American’s Second Amendment rights. He criticized the Biden administration for not addressing the surge in violent crime but, instead, penalizing law-abiding citizens. Knudsen emphasized his commitment to resisting federal overreach and safeguarding the gun rights of Montanans.

The coalition’s letter to the ATF characterizes the proposed rule as both “shocking” and “unconstitutional,” describing it as “arbitrary and capricious.” The letter concludes by asserting that if the Bureau genuinely aimed to combat violent crime, it should focus on enforcing existing laws to hold violent criminals accountable, rather than targeting innocent firearm sellers. The coalition deems the Bureau’s current approach not only unlawful but also morally wrong, urging a change in course.

By: Politics406 staff