The National Rifle Association and local government groups are trying to help sway an appeals court in a battle about a controversial state gun law.

The NRA this week filed a proposed friend-of-the-court brief urging the First District Court of Appeal to uphold the 2011 law, which has threatened tough penalties if city and county officials approve gun regulations. The NRA filing came a week after the Florida League of Cities and the Florida Association of Counties sought permission to file a brief in opposition to the law.