Federal judge in Texas blocks Biden rule expanding gun background checks

A federal judge in Texas on Sunday blocked a Biden administration rule that expanded the requirements for background checks when selling a firearm.

Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk granted an injunction against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to prevent the federal government from fully implementing the rule in Texas, though he also found that the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Utah do not have standing in the case.

“I am relieved that we were able to secure a restraining order that will prevent this illegal rule from taking effect,” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) said in a statement.

The rule, scheduled to go into effect Monday, closes the “gun show loophole” for firearms dealers, requiring all people who sell firearms for a profit to be licensed and require background checks of buyers.