Congress
One Step Closer to Preventing
Junk Lawsuits Against Lawful Industry
House Approves Common-Sense Legal
Reform in Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act
NEWTOWN, Conn. - With an
overwhelming and bipartisan vote of 285-to-140, the
House of Representatives has passed common-sense legislation
to stop the junk lawsuits seeking to blame law-abiding
companies in the firearms industry for the criminal
misuse of their legally-sold, highly regulated and non-defective
products. Several attempts to water down the bill with
amendments failed by similar votes.
Even though 30 states have
already enacted similar legislation, a reform to federal
law is needed to restore integrity to the nation's judicial
system and prevent frivolous, politically motivated
lawsuits from being filed by municipalities and special
interest groups in an attempt to bankrupt responsible
companies by blaming them for the actions of criminals.
Next, the "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act
of 2003" will be considered in the Senate. There, S.
659 also enjoys broad support from 52 co-sponsors, including
the minority whip, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, among
the nine Democrats.
"Some have falsely suggested
this legislation would 'close the courthouse door,'
but this popular legal reform does not grant any special
protection or immunity for firearms manufacturers. A
plaintiff truly injured by a defective product or an
illegally sold firearm would still be able to bring
a lawsuit against a firearm manufacturer, as they should
be permitted to do," said Lawrence G. Keane, vice president
and general counsel of the National Shooting Sports
Foundation, the trade association for the firearms industry.
Keane noted, "It also will not prevent civil actions
against those who violate the thousands of laws and
regulations regarding the sale of firearms."
Doug Painter, president
of the National Shooting Sports Foundation adds, "Our
members strongly support enforcing the existing laws
to put away criminals who misuse firearms, and we applaud
recently announced efforts by the United States Department
of Justice to step up prosecutions of those who violate
our nation's firearms laws."
Tens of thousands of Americans
working for law-abiding, federally regulated companies
stand to suffer by losing their jobs if the industry
is sued out of business. The National Association of
Manufacturers recently weighed in on this issue by saying,
"Today it's handguns, but tomorrow it could be power
tools, golf clubs or automobiles. Manufacturers of perfectly
lawful, properly designed and well-functioning products
can't rationally be held liable for third-party actions
that may result in harm to another."
The National Shooting Sports
Foundation, since 1961, has been the trade association
for the makers and sellers of firearms, ammunition and
related hunting and recreational shooting products.
You can learn more about NSSF's safety programs and
the promotion of the safe and responsible use of its
members' products by visiting the Foundation's Web site
at www.nssf.org.
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