One state lawmaker from our area is seeking cosponsors for a bill that would protect law-abiding gun owners from gun laws enacted by local municipalities that go above and beyond state law.

Sen. Wayne Langerholc’s bill — which hasn’t been introduced — would allow individuals or organizations to sue to block an overly restrictive firearms ordinance. Currently, gun owners who are accused of violating local ordinances often lack the time and money for a costly legal battle necessary to change unconstitutional gun regulations.

A similar bill was signed into law in 2014, but Langerholc says a state Supreme Court ruling overturned the law based on procedural grounds that did not address the content or constitutionality of the law.

This legislation would restore the original intention of the Uniform Firearms Act, which was intended to prevent municipalities from enacting their own ordinances.