An Alabama gun rights group is suing the mayor of Sumiton for records the organization claims may show the city leased public property to private entities to circumvent state gun laws.

BamaCarry filed the lawsuit in Walker County court last week against Sumiton Mayor Petey Ellis after the group said the mayor did not respond to its requests for the public records.

Alabama law says only the state Legislature can regulate gun policy.

BamaCarry said Sumiton posted signs saying guns were prohibited during the 2018 Frog Festival and claimed the city "attempted to circumvent Alabama law and to prohibit firearms at the 2019 Frog Festival.

“The plaintiff and its members also learned the city of Sumiton may have leased out municipal property to vendors to circumvent Alabama law,” the lawsuit claimed, adding that BamaCarry renewed its request from records but were not provided them.

Besides the documents, BamaCarry is seeking the court to rule that “Alabama citizens will benefit from the disclosure of the requested public records” along with awarding them costs for attorney’s fees and “such other relief as the court deems necessary and just.”