Utah and Wyoming seek to intervene in Montana ‘firearms freedom’ lawsuit

Utah, Wyo. seek to intervene in Mont. gun lawsuit

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — State officials in Wyoming and Utah plan to enter a lawsuit pending in Montana to argue the federal government lacks authority to regulate firearms that are made and sold in the same state.

The attorneys general of Wyoming and Utah say they plan to file a brief in the Montana case this week. It’s possible other states may sign on as well.

The states involved have adopted “firearms freedom” laws that seek to exempt guns manufactured and sold in the same state from federal regulations.

In Montana, pro-gun groups sued the federal government last year over its contention that federal guns laws still apply despite the state law.

The U.S. Department of Justice argues Montana lacked authority to exempt guns from national gun control laws.