CIVIL RIGHTS UPDATE: Lawsuit filed over rules aimed at Colorado gun dealer records.

A Colorado gun rights organization has filed a federal lawsuit challenging a newly enacted state law giving government officials broad, random access to firearms purchase records without a warrant or even suspicion of wrongdoing.

The Colorado State Shooting Association (CSSA) announced the legal challenge at a June 12 press conference, holding the announcement in the district represented by Senator Tom Sullivan, who CSSA identifies as a chief proponent of Colorado’s ongoing gun rights restrictions. The filing marks the third recent constitutional challenge CSSA has brought against Colorado gun laws.

The impetus for the lawsuit is House Bill 26-1126, signed into law by Governor Polis earlier this month. The law expands record-keeping requirements for firearms dealers and authorizes the Department of Revenue (DOR) to access transaction records maintained by federally licensed gun dealers (FFLs).

Critics say the law contains virtually no guardrails on access.

“There is virtually no limit on where, when, or how many times records may be demanded or for what purpose they may be used,” said David Price, the attorney representing CSSA, describing the law’s reach in legal filings.

And HB 26-1126 is one of the least offensive gun bills Polis signed into law.