NEW YORK — NYS Attorney General Letitia James recently led a coalition of 22 attorneys general who say federal laws must prevent people from transporting or receiving firearms from outside their state, except through licensed dealers.

They filed an amicus brief in U.S. v. Steven Perez in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

“States and the federal government should enforce basic regulations on gun sales to protect our communities,” said James. “These laws prevent illegal firearm acquisitions that pose significant threats.”

In 2020, Steven Perez received illegally purchased weapons from an unlicensed dealer in South Carolina and transported them to New York City. Perez was arrested, prosecuted, convicted and sentenced in New York. He is appealing his conviction, claiming it violates his Second Amendment rights.

James and the coalition say the state regulation of firearms dealers prevents the misuse of guns and aids crime investigations Seventeen states, including New York, require dealers to maintain detailed records.