California Unable to Avoid Gun Fee-Shifting Lawsuit, Judge Rules

California must continue to defend the state’s bounty bill that allows it to seek attorneys’ fees from parties that challenge firearms legislation inspired by similar Texas legislation on abortion, a federal judge ruled.

Judge Roger T. Benitez of the US District Court for the Southern District of California rejected California’s arguments of mootness of the lawsuit firearms dealers, lawyers, and gun rights advocates filed in September. The law in question includes a one-way fee-shifting penalty in the government’s favor that applies solely to litigation challenging state and local firearm regulations, the lawsuit said.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) said ...