Ninth Circuit Panel Looks for Harm in Gun Rights Group Probe

A panel of Ninth Circuit judges were skeptical Thursday that a gun rights group adequately alleged a state attorney general harmed them by launching what they said was a baseless investigation targeting their advocacy.

“If the attorney general is not given some leeway in terms of investigating, following up on leads, and so on—without fear that the AG is going to get sued every time they issue a [civil investigation demand]—we’re doing some substantial harm to the enforcement of statutes and the implementing of regulations,” Judge Richard C. Tallman said during oral arguments.

Labeling the existence of a meritless investigation ...