BILLINGS, Mont. (WACH, AP) -- Gun control advocates and law enforcement groups are asking the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold a lower court ruling that said South Carolina and seven other states cannot shrug off federal gun laws and replace them with their own.
The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, International Brotherhood of Police Officers and other groups this week urged the appellate panel to reject a gun rights lawsuit launched in Montana as unconstitutional.
The lawsuit argues states should decide rules to control the sale and purchase of guns and paraphernalia made inside their borders. In addition to South Carolina the case involves Montana, Utah, Alabama, Idaho, South Dakota, Wyoming and West Virginia.
Opponents say state "firearm freedom acts" would allow felons to obtain guns without background checks and make it harder to trace guns used in crimes.
Should gun laws controlling the sale and purchase of guns be decided at the state or federal level? Vote in our poll, and leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWACH