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S.D. A.G. Jackley Releases Final 2028 Draft Ballot Explanation Allowing Exceptions for Direct Sale of Homemade Dairy Products
PIERRE, South Dakota, Aug. 11 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release on Aug. 10, 2026:
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Attorney General Jackley Releases Final 2028 Draft Ballot Explanation Allowing Exceptions for Direct Sale of Homemade Dairy Products
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has released the final ballot explanation for a proposed initiated measure that would allow exceptions for the direct sale of homemade dairy products.
The initiated measure, if enough valid petition signatures are gathered, would be on the 2028 general election ballot. The number of valid
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PIERRE, South Dakota, Aug. 11 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release on Aug. 10, 2026:
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Attorney General Jackley Releases Final 2028 Draft Ballot Explanation Allowing Exceptions for Direct Sale of Homemade Dairy Products
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has released the final ballot explanation for a proposed initiated measure that would allow exceptions for the direct sale of homemade dairy products.
The initiated measure, if enough valid petition signatures are gathered, would be on the 2028 general election ballot. The number of validsignatures will be determined by the number of votes cast in this November's election.
Attorney General Jackley takes no position on any such proposal for purposes of the ballot explanation. As required by law, he has provided a fair and neutral explanation on the initiated Constitutional Amendment to help assist the voters as required by state law. The measure is proposed by Brenda Anderson of Custer.
The Attorney General's explanation was finalized after a review of all the comments received during the 10-day comment period on the Attorney General's draft explanation. One comment was received by the deadline.
Language for the final initiated ballot measure explanation can be found here (https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=3130).
For more information regarding ballot measures, please visit the Secretary of State's website (https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=3130).
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Original text here: https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=3130
S.D. A.G. Jackley Announces U.S. Federal Court Upholds State Law Requiring Companies to Provide Generic Drugs Directly to Local Providers
PIERRE, South Dakota, Aug. 11 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release on Aug. 10, 2026:
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Attorney General Jackley Announces U.S. Federal Court Upholds State Law Requiring Companies to Provide Generic Drugs Directly to Local Providers
Attorney General Jackley announces that a U.S. District Court has dismissed three complaints filed by pharmaceutical manufacturers challenging a 2025 amendment to South Dakota law. The amendment restricts pharmaceutical manufacturers from controlling key contract terms related to how discounted drugs are delivered to
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PIERRE, South Dakota, Aug. 11 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release on Aug. 10, 2026:
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Attorney General Jackley Announces U.S. Federal Court Upholds State Law Requiring Companies to Provide Generic Drugs Directly to Local Providers
Attorney General Jackley announces that a U.S. District Court has dismissed three complaints filed by pharmaceutical manufacturers challenging a 2025 amendment to South Dakota law. The amendment restricts pharmaceutical manufacturers from controlling key contract terms related to how discounted drugs are delivered tohealthcare providers serving underserved populations under the federal 340B Program.
"This decision upholds a law intended to ensure that discounted medications reach the individuals who need them most," said Attorney General Jackley. "This ruling guarantees that our healthcare providers will continue to access these discounted medications and use them in ways that best serve their communities."
AbbVie, AstraZeneca, and PhRMA had challenged the statute prohibiting pharmaceutical manufacturers and wholesale drug distributors from interfering in agreements between 340B entities and pharmacies. The federal 340B Program requires manufacturers to provide discounted drugs to eligible healthcare providers, especially those serving rural, Native American, and other underserved populations.
These healthcare providers had sought direct delivery of discounted drugs to designated pharmacies. Manufacturers opposed this practice, asserting it reduced their profits. The 2025 South Dakota law bars manufacturers from restricting delivery methods directed by these providers.
All three constitutional challenges filed by the manufacturers have now been dismissed by the U.S. Federal Court.
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Original text here: https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=3129
Ohio AG Seeks to Lead Class-Action Lawsuit Against Roblox
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 11 -- Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson issued the following news release:
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Ohio AG Seeks to Lead Class-Action Lawsuit Against Roblox
The office of Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson is seeking lead-plaintiff status in a securities class-action lawsuit accusing video game developer Roblox of misleading investors about child-safety protections on its digital platform.
"Roblox lied to investors and failed to protect children from online predators," Wilson said. "We're taking action to recover millions in lost pension funds and to make it clear that tech companies must
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COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 11 -- Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson issued the following news release:
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Ohio AG Seeks to Lead Class-Action Lawsuit Against Roblox
The office of Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson is seeking lead-plaintiff status in a securities class-action lawsuit accusing video game developer Roblox of misleading investors about child-safety protections on its digital platform.
"Roblox lied to investors and failed to protect children from online predators," Wilson said. "We're taking action to recover millions in lost pension funds and to make it clear that tech companies mustbe held accountable when they put kids in harm's way."
The Attorney General's Office on Friday filed a motion to lead the case on behalf of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio.
The lawsuit alleges that Roblox, headquartered in San Mateo, California, falsely portrayed its platform as a safe space for children while failing to implement basic protections against online predators. The alleged deception fueled billions in losses for investors, including a combined $21.5 million for OPERS and STRS from October 2024 through April 2026.
While marketing itself as a safe, family-friendly platform for kids, Roblox allegedly operated an unregulated digital environment where child predators and sexual content flourished. The lawsuit asserts that the company's lack of safety features left children vulnerable to rampant exploitation.
The reality was revealed after a series of regulatory actions forced Roblox to implement mandatory age verification and communication limits between adults and minors. In April 2026, Roblox announced that these safety measures caused user growth to plummet and lowered its annual revenue projection by $1 billion. The disclosures triggered a stock drop of 18%, wiping out $6 billion in market value.
The lawsuit, pending before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, seeks damages for the financial losses caused by the company's wrongdoing. Roblox executives David Baszucki, Naveen Chopra and Michael Guthrie are also named as defendants.
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Original text here: https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/August-2026/Ohio-AG-Seeks-to-Lead-Class-Action-Lawsuit-Against
N.J. A.G. Davenport Condemns ATF's Proposed Rollback of Gun Regulations
TRENTON, New Jersey, Aug. 11 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on Aug. 10, 2026:
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AG Davenport Condemns ATF's Proposed Rollback of Gun Regulations
Multistate Coalition Warns Deregulating Firearms Rules Will Threaten Public Safety and Hinder Criminal Investigations
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Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a coalition of 23 attorneys general warning that the Trump Administration's rollback of common-sense firearms regulations will endanger their communities, many of which have seen levels of gun violence drop dramatically in recent years.
This
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TRENTON, New Jersey, Aug. 11 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on Aug. 10, 2026:
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AG Davenport Condemns ATF's Proposed Rollback of Gun Regulations
Multistate Coalition Warns Deregulating Firearms Rules Will Threaten Public Safety and Hinder Criminal Investigations
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Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a coalition of 23 attorneys general warning that the Trump Administration's rollback of common-sense firearms regulations will endanger their communities, many of which have seen levels of gun violence drop dramatically in recent years.
Thispast spring, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced it would "reform" 34 firearms regulations--yet as a raft of comment letters submitted by the states demonstrate, many of these so-called reforms unlawfully abdicate ATF's responsibility to keep the public safe. The states argue that in advancing these changes, the ATF is unlawfully abandoning its core duty to protect the public and to faithfully carry out the laws Congress enacted. At the same time, the gun industry stands to profit off these changes at the expense of public safety.
In a series of comment letters submitted between July 6 and August 6, the multistate coalition outlines the risks to public safety posed by these massive deregulatory changes and urges the ATF to abandon or revise many of these proposals.
"ATF's plan to deregulate firearms will put New Jerseyans at risk and erode the tremendous gains we have made in reducing gun violence over the past few years," said Attorney General Davenport. "In addition to endangering families simply going about their days, this effort to eviscerate sensible gun regulations will also imperil law enforcement and first responders, who regularly put themselves in harm's way to protect or rescue us. These proposed changes simply make no sense."
As detailed in the letters, these illogical proposals would undo years of bipartisan progress aimed at reducing gun violence. To one degree or another, the proposals conflict with various federal laws, exceed the ATF's authority, and clash with prior Supreme Court rulings. Many have been offered without meaningful evidence or explanation, and many come in the wake of undue and undisclosed industry influence.
If enacted, the proposed rules would:
* Weaken the Brady Act background check process. The bipartisan Brady Act of 1993, enacted after the attempted assassination of President Reagan, imposed strict background checks. ATF's unlawful proposal to exempt purchases by individuals with certain state-issued permits from background checks would undermine that system, increasing the risk of dangerous felons and other prohibited individuals unlawfully obtaining firearms and of illegal weapons trafficking between states.
* Reopen dangerous loopholes by undermining licensing for gun dealers. This proposal would unlawfully reopen loopholes as to who can operate without a federal firearms license (FFL), allowing more people to sell guns without conducting background checks or keeping sale records. The proposal violates the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
* Erode identity checks for gun buyers who do not shop in person. This unlawful proposal risks opening the floodgates to online purchases, including to people at risk of hurting themselves or others, to children, and to gun traffickers. Contrary to a Supreme Court ruling, the proposal reinterprets the historic Gun Control Act of 1968 to allow remote identity verification--something Congress has not authorized.
* Dilute the ban on straw purchasing. A "straw purchase" occurs when someone buys a gun on behalf of another person who is legally barred from buying one themselves--for example, a convicted felon. The ATF wants to exempt certain purchases from being treated as illegal straw purchases. The states warn that this proposed change would create a dangerous loophole allowing prohibited individuals to obtain firearms through middlemen. The states argue that the proposal defies U.S. Supreme Court precedent and federal law, exceeds the ATF's legal authority, and is arbitrary and capricious.
* Undermine the ability to hold bad-actor gun dealers accountable. Federal law allows the ATF to revoke the license of a gun dealer who "willfully" violates the law. The ATF now wants to raise the bar for what counts as a "willful" violation, making it far harder to strip dangerous gun dealers of their licenses. The states argue that this change contradicts decades of settled law and would gut the federal licensing system that keeps guns out of the wrong hands.
* Make it easier to import military-style weapons and parts. Through two separate proposals, the ATF wants to make it easier to import guns and gun parts into the country. One would permit the import of "non-sporting"--that is, military-type--weapon parts, such as barrels, frames, and receivers from AK-47s and similar firearms, as long as the part could theoretically be used in some sporting weapon. The other would allow companies to bring these weapons into special trade zones for virtually any purpose. The states argue that both proposals violate the plain text of federal laws and were adopted without consideration of the public safety consequences.
* End posted warnings about the dangers of handguns to children. Gun dealers are required to post written notices about the Youth Handgun Safety Act. These notices warn buyers about the dangers handguns pose to young people and make clear that transferring a handgun to someone under 18 is generally illegal. The states argue that the ATF wrongly claims it lacks authority to require these notices, ignores the notices' proven benefits, and is inviting an increase in gun violence.
* Create dangerous confusion over stabilizing braces. Stabilizing braces can be used to convert pistols into more lethal shoulder-fired weapons. The ATF wants to rescind an existing rule that clarified how these devices are regulated without putting forward any replacement rule. The states argue that leaving a regulatory vacuum is reckless and that the ATF failed to weigh the public safety costs and enforcement confusion that will follow.
* Allow banned gun accessories to cross state lines. Federal law governs the transport of firearms and ammunition across state lines during travel. The ATF wants to add vague new language covering all "reasonably necessary activities incidental to interstate travel." The states object because the proposal would improperly expand the law to permit banned accessories--like large-capacity magazines and rapid-fire modification devices--to be transported through jurisdictions that prohibit them.
* Undercut the firearms-transaction record relied on by law enforcement. Form 4473 is the record a licensed dealer must complete for every firearm sale, and it is a critical tool for law enforcement. The ATF seeks to allow non-government-issued documents as proof of residence and doubles the window during which a background check remains valid, from 30 days to two months. The states oppose these changes because they would weaken the security of lawful gun sales and undermine the reliable records that law enforcement agencies depend on.
* Undermine firearm tracing through form changes. The ATF seeks to change how "sex" is recorded on every ATF form. The states argue that this proposal harms public safety by impeding law enforcement's ability to trace firearms, creates confusion, and violates federal law.
* Destroy records needed to solve crimes. Currently, records tracking the chain of custody and sale of firearms must be kept indefinitely. The ATF wants to require their destruction after just 20 or 30 years. The states warn this would result in the loss of records essential to tracing crime guns and prosecuting criminals, directly harming public safety and law enforcement investigations and prosecutions.
* Allow individuals with severe mental illness to purchase firearms. ATF seeks to redefine mental health terminology first used in the Gun Control Act of 1968, updated by the ATF in 1997, and strengthened further by Congress in 2007 and 2018. Federal law prohibits firearm possession by people who have been "adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution." The ATF wants to sharply narrow this category and even admits in its own comments that some of the proposed changes would jeopardize the public. The ATF's analysis states: "This risk may be minimal, or may be considerably greater (up to and including potential mass casualty events)."
The attorneys general also submitted a comment letter on July 6 opposing five proposed ATF rule changes to regulations under the National Firearms Act (NFA)--the 1934 law that restricts machine guns, silencers, and short-barreled rifles and shotguns. They also submitted another comment letter opposing a set of changes to Form 4473 that would make it easier for straw purchasers to buy weapons and more difficult for law enforcement trace crime guns and prosecute crime.
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Attorney General Davenport was joined in co-leading these letters by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington joined all or most of these letters.
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/ag-davenport-condemns-atfs-proposed-rollback-of-gun-regulations/
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Highlights Success of Groundwater Agreement With Riverview Dairy in Cochise County
PHOENIX, Arizona, Aug. 11 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on Aug. 10, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Highlights Success of Groundwater Agreement with Riverview Dairy in Cochise County
Attorney General Kris Mayes today highlighted the early success of the precedent-setting groundwater settlement with Riverview, LLP, announced in January 2026. Since the agreement took effect, Riverview has approved or completed the re-drilling of twenty-two wells for residents of Cochise County affected by declining groundwater levels in the Sulphur Springs Valley.
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PHOENIX, Arizona, Aug. 11 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on Aug. 10, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Highlights Success of Groundwater Agreement with Riverview Dairy in Cochise County
Attorney General Kris Mayes today highlighted the early success of the precedent-setting groundwater settlement with Riverview, LLP, announced in January 2026. Since the agreement took effect, Riverview has approved or completed the re-drilling of twenty-two wells for residents of Cochise County affected by declining groundwater levels in the Sulphur Springs Valley.These twenty-two requests for assistance represent the vast majority of applications received to date.
The settlement, the first of its kind in Arizona and the nation, secured $11 million from Riverview for well-drilling, water-hauling, and groundwater access for impacted residents, along with commitments to fallow or transition 2,000 acres of irrigated farmland over the next 12 years to reduce groundwater use.
"This is exactly the kind of support our state's rural communities deserve to see, and I'm proud that just months into this agreement, twenty-two families in Cochise County have new wells and access to groundwater because of it," said Attorney General Mayes. "I want to thank Riverview for their ongoing efforts to be a good neighbor and to live up to the terms of the agreement we signed together late last year. This is what it looks like when state government and businesses work together to support Arizonans. I hope to see this success continue in the months and years ahead."
Under the terms of the settlement, Riverview is required to provide periodic reports to the Arizona Attorney General's Office to ensure continued compliance. The Attorney General's Office will continue to monitor Riverview's progress on both its groundwater conservation commitments and its funding obligations to residents.
Residents in the Sulphur Springs Valley who believe they may be eligible for well-drilling or water-hauling assistance can contact:
Riverview, LLP:
Phone: 320-392-5609
Email: info@riverviewllp.com
https://riverviewllp.com/contact/
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Arizona Community Foundation:
Phone: 602-381-1400
Email: SSWF@azfoundation.org
https://www.azfoundation.org/ways-to-give/give-by-impact-area/environment-sustainability/the-sulphur-springs-water-fund/
A copy of the original settlement agreement can be found here (https://us.list-manage.com/10I9CYg2UZH?e=b0dbe1a1e5&c2id=09345700d02fac819a23d47fdcb56250).
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-highlights-success-groundwater-agreement-riverview-dairy-0
Colorado contractor charged with defrauding Boulder family, exposing them to asbestos
DENVER, Colorado, Aug. 10 -- Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser issued the following news release:
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Colorado contractor charged with defrauding Boulder family, exposing them to asbestos
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Aug. 10, 2026 (DENVER) - Colorado contractor Rocco Roberts, 47, was charged with defrauding a Boulder family and exposing their home to hazardous asbestos materials, Attorney General Phil Weiser announced today.
"Remodeling a home is never a cheap or quick process," said Attorney General Weiser. "It requires a lot of trust between the homeowner and the contractor. When that trust is violated, and
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DENVER, Colorado, Aug. 10 -- Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser issued the following news release:
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Colorado contractor charged with defrauding Boulder family, exposing them to asbestos
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Aug. 10, 2026 (DENVER) - Colorado contractor Rocco Roberts, 47, was charged with defrauding a Boulder family and exposing their home to hazardous asbestos materials, Attorney General Phil Weiser announced today.
"Remodeling a home is never a cheap or quick process," said Attorney General Weiser. "It requires a lot of trust between the homeowner and the contractor. When that trust is violated, andleaves the home as a potentially dangerous environment, the bad actors who break that trust need to be held accountable."
The case stems from Roberts' alleged criminal conduct during an asbestos remediation project. In February 2023, a Boulder couple planned to do a basement renovation. Due to the age of the home, an asbestos inspection was required, which subsequently revealed that the basement's materials were over the state-mandated limit of 1% asbestos. The owners contracted with the defendant's company "Home Defense Solutions." However, Roberts is alleged to have falsely represented having the proper permits and licenses with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. In fact, Roberts had not been certified by the state since 2018 to work in the asbestos industry.
The prosecution alleges Roberts performed the abatement work improperly, and as a result, the basement was exposed to asbestos. However, Roberts told the Boulder family the abatement work had been completed, and that it was safe to access and use the basement. Additionally, it is alleged that the defendant provided a fraudulent clearance test to further assure the Boulder family of the basement's safety. Despite having performed the work in a reckless and dangerous manner, Roberts still collected $8,400 for the project and stopped replying to the owner's request for a refund after the consequences of the poor work were discovered. To fix the damage, the owners paid an additional $17,736.52 for a legitimate licensed professional to remediate the basement.
Roberts is accused of causing and contributing to a hazardous substance incident, a class 4 felony; two counts of forgery, both class 5 felonies; and one count of theft, a class 5 felony. He was arrested in Larimer County and posted $5,000 bail via surety on July 22, 2026. The case is filed in Boulder County District Court under case number 26CR985.
An indictment is a formal accusation that an individual committed a crime under Colorado laws. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Read a copy of the arrest affidavit (PDF).
Media Contact:
Lawrence Pacheco
Chief Communications Officer
(720) 508-6553 office
lawrence.pacheco@coag.gov
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Original text here: https://coag.gov/press-releases/colorado-contractor-charged-with-defrauding-boulder-family-exposing-them-to-asbestos/
Attorney General James Co-Leads Multistate Effort Opposing Trump Administration's Sweeping Rollback of Gun Safety Protections
ALBANY, New York, Aug. 10 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release:
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Attorney General James Co-Leads Multistate Effort Opposing Trump Administration's Sweeping Rollback of Gun Safety Protections
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August 10, 2026
NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today co-led a coalition of 22 other attorneys general in opposing the Trump administration's unprecedented effort to dismantle decades of federal gun safety protections. Since May 2026, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has proposed rolling back or eliminating 32
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ALBANY, New York, Aug. 10 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release:
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Attorney General James Co-Leads Multistate Effort Opposing Trump Administration's Sweeping Rollback of Gun Safety Protections
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August 10, 2026
NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today co-led a coalition of 22 other attorneys general in opposing the Trump administration's unprecedented effort to dismantle decades of federal gun safety protections. Since May 2026, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has proposed rolling back or eliminating 32firearm regulations that help keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals, support law enforcement investigations, and prevent illegal gun trafficking. Through 13 comment letters submitted over the last week, Attorney General James and the coalition argue that the proposed rules are unlawful, unsupported by evidence, and would make communities across the country less safe while benefiting the gun industry at the expense of public safety.
"Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe in their community. These reckless proposals would make it easier for dangerous weapons to fall into the wrong hands while making it harder for law enforcement to stop gun violence and solve crimes," said Attorney General James. "The Trump administration is trying to erase decades of bipartisan progress that has helped reduce gun violence and save lives. We are calling on ATF to abandon these unlawful proposals and uphold its responsibility to protect the public instead of putting the interests of the gun industry first."
In the comment letters, Attorney General James and the coalition argue that ATF's proposals would dismantle longstanding protections that Congress enacted to reduce gun violence, combat illegal firearms trafficking, and support law enforcement. The attorneys general argue that many of the proposed rules exceed ATF's statutory authority, conflict with federal law and Supreme Court precedent, disregard congressional intent, and fail to satisfy the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act. The attorneys general also note that many of the proposals were issued without adequate evidence or explanation, without required consultation with the states, and appear to reflect undisclosed influence from the firearms industry.
If enacted, the proposed rules would:
* Weaken Brady Act background checks. The bipartisan Brady Act of 1993, enacted after the attempted assassination of President Reagan, imposed strict background check requirements. The ATF's proposal would allow individuals with certain state-issued permits to purchase firearms without undergoing the federally required background check, creating new opportunities for prohibited purchasers and gun traffickers to obtain firearms.
* Narrow federal mental health prohibitions. The ATF seeks to significantly limit the categories of people prohibited from possessing firearms because of serious mental illness, even while acknowledging in its own comments that the proposal could increase the risk of mass casualty events.
* Reopen dangerous loopholes for unlicensed gun dealers. The ATF's regulation would create confusion about who must obtain a federal firearms license, with the risk that more sellers will operate without conducting background checks or maintaining sales records. The proposal would undermine reforms enacted in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in response to the Tops mass shooting in Buffalo, as well as the Uvalde school shooting.
* Erode identity verification for online firearm purchases. By allowing remote identity verification for online gun purchases, this unlawful proposal would make it easier for children, gun traffickers, and individuals at risk of hurting themselves or others to obtain weapons. The attorneys general contend that this proposal violates the Gun Control Act and Supreme Court precedent, while granting weapons manufacturers' wish list.
* Create new loopholes for straw purchases. A "straw purchase" occurs when someone buys a gun on behalf of another person who is legally barred from buying one themselves, such as a convicted felon. The ATF proposal would create confusion about which purchases should be treated as illegal straw purchases, at the risk of creating a dangerous loophole through which prohibited individuals can obtain firearms.
* Make it harder to hold rogue gun dealers accountable. Federal law allows ATF to revoke the license of a gun dealer who "willfully" violates the law. The ATF now wants to raise the bar for what counts as a "willful" violation, making it far harder to strip dangerous dealers of their licenses. The attorneys general argue this change contradicts decades of settled law and would gut the federal licensing system that keeps guns out of the wrong hands.
* Make it easier to import military-style weapons and parts. Through two separate proposals, ATF wants to make it easier to import guns and gun parts into the United States, with a specific focus on assault weapon components and military-style firearms, despite federal restrictions intended to protect public safety.
* Eliminate youth handgun safety notices. Gun dealers are required to post written notices about the Youth Handgun Safety Act. These notices warn buyers about the dangers that handguns pose to young people and make clear that transferring a handgun to someone under 18 is generally illegal. The attorneys general argue that ATF wrongly claims it lacks authority to require these notices, ignores their proven benefits, and is inviting an increase in gun violence.
* Create dangerous confusion over stabilizing braces. Stabilizing braces are typically used to convert pistols into more lethal, shoulder-fired weapons. The ATF wants to rescind an existing rule that clarified how these devices are regulated, without creating any replacement. The states argue that leaving a regulatory vacuum is reckless and that ATF failed to weigh the public safety costs and enforcement confusion that will result.
* Allow banned gun accessories to cross state lines. The ATF seeks to improperly expand federal travel protections, including in ways that would allow people to transport dangerous gun accessories across state lines into states where they are banned, such as New York.
* Undercut firearms transaction records relied on by law enforcement. Form 4473 is the record a licensed dealer must complete for every firearm sale, and it is a critical tool for law enforcement. The ATF's proposed changes would weaken proof-of-residency requirements and extend the validity of background checks, reducing the reliability of the records law enforcement agencies rely upon to investigate gun crimes.
* Complicate firearm tracing. Changes to how identifying information is collected on ATF forms to ask people about biological sex would hinder law enforcement's ability to trace crime guns while creating unnecessary confusion for lawful purchasers and potentially violating their Second Amendment rights.
* Destroy records needed to solve crimes. Currently, records tracking the chain of custody and sale of firearms must be kept indefinitely, which is essential for law enforcement to be able to effectively investigate crimes involving guns. The ATF wants to require their destruction after just 20 or 30 years. The states warn that this would directly harm public safety and law enforcement investigations and prosecutions.
In addition to these proposals, last month Attorney General James and the coalition submitted a comment letter opposing five proposed changes to regulations implementing the National Firearms Act, which governs machine guns, silencers, and short-barreled rifles and shotguns. The coalition also submitted a separate comment letter opposing proposed revisions to ATF Form 4473 that would make it easier for straw purchasers to obtain firearms and more difficult for law enforcement to trace crime guns.
Joining Attorney General James in filing these comment letters are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia.
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Original text here: https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2026/attorney-general-james-co-leads-multistate-effort-opposing-trump-administrations
