Gun Makers Get Lawsuit Immunity

Ricky Bagolie

Contributor

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Lawmakers have given gun makers unprecedented immunity from lawsuits brought by victims of gun violence.

The US Congress passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, H.R. 800 at the urging of the National Rifle Association (N.R.A.), a powerful gun lobby. The bill immunizes gun manufacturers, dealers, distributors and trade associations from lawsuits. Even dealers that negligently sell guns to traffickers are immune from lawsuits. When signed by President Bush, the gun industry will be the only industry in America with such broad protection from legal responsibility for its actions. Firearms kill nearly twice as many Americans as all household consumer products.

The legislation slams the courthouse doors shut on people maimed and killed by illegal and defective firearms and remove all incentives for sellers and manufacturers of these deadly weapons to act safely in the future. Those who sell guns that are sought by criminals need to be more careful than sellers of other products, not less careful. This is a shameful piece of legislation, passed by a Republican Congress bought and paid for by N.R.A. and the blood of innocent victims of gun violence.