[JURIST] New York City has filed a lawsuit [press release] against 15 rogue out-of-state gun dealers in an attempt to stymie the influx of weapons into New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Monday. The suit, which was filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York [official website], seeks to compel the dealers to undergo mandatory training, and to pay compensatory damages to the city and punitive damages to victims. The lawsuit also requests the appointment of a special investigator to monitor the dealers. The dealers named in the complaint reside in Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia.

City law enforcement tracked guns used in crimes back to the dealers. Private investigators hired by the city uncovered the allegedly unlawful selling practices by making undercover purchases from those dealers. The suit claims that the dealers allowed straw purchases where one person fills out the necessary paperwork, while another person, who has not undergone the requisite background check, pays for and receives the gun. AP has more.