Federal Judge: CO Sheriffs 'Lack Standing' to Sue over Gun Control

On November 27, U.S. District Court Judge Marcia Krieger ruled that Colorado sheriffs “lack standing” to sue over their state’s new gun control laws.

This summer, Breitbart News reported that numerous Colorado sheriffs had signed their names on the dotted line of a lawsuit against the draconian gun control laws passed in their state earlier this year. In fact, sheriff’s appeared to the be front line of defense against gun control in that state, with “sheriffs in most of Colorado’s 64 counties” taking part in the lawsuit.

But according to Fox News, Judge Krieger says the sheriffs cannot sue “in their official capacities.” She said the sheriffs can join the suit as individuals if they wish, but they “have confused their individual rights and interests with those of the county sheriff’s office.”

The two laws being challenged by the suit are those expanding background checks and banning magazines with a capacity greater than 15 rounds. 

In her ruling, Krieger made clear that the ban on “high capacity” magazines was being adjusted so that it would not include 10 or 15 round magazines that were convertible to “high capacity.” 

The sheriffs have 14 days from Krieger’s ruling to decide whether to re-enter the suit as individuals. 

Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins.