An ordinance passed in April in Pima County that requires gun owners to report when their weapons are stolen or lost is being challenged in a new lawsuit.
Under the rule, gun owners must report a missing or stolen firearm within 48 hours. Failing to report a weapon you know or should have known was missing could result in a $1,000 fine. County officials say the move will help keep track of missing guns and fraudulent gun purchases, known as straw sales.
Joe Setyon is a senior communications manager at the Goldwater Institute — the group behind the suit. He says the new ordinance is illegal.
"This re-victimizes law-abiding gun owners when their firearms are lost or stolen. People might not even realize that they are victims of a crime until later," he said.
Setyon says Arizona law also prohibits local governments from passing their own firearm regulations. His firm filed suit on behalf of a Christopher King, a military veteran and firearms trainer in Pima County, and a local non-profit called the Arizona Citizens Defense League. They’re asking for the court to put a hold on the mandate through a preliminary injunction.
A Pima County representative said the county does not comment on litigation.
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