WASHINGTON — Federal weapons agents want gun dealers near the Mexican border to start reporting multiple sales of high-powered rifles.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is asking the White House budget office to approve an emergency request that would require dealers to report sales of two or more high-powered rifles to the same customer within a five-day period. The weapons are favorites of Mexican drug cartels.
ATF is asking the Office of Management and Budget for approval by Jan. 5.
The emergency request, published Friday in the Federal Register, is likely to face stiff opposition from gun rights advocates, including the National Rifle Association.
The request would affect about 8,500 dealers in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. If approved, it would be in place for six months.
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