U.S. lawmakers from Connecticut want to repeal a law that protects gunmakers against liability lawsuits in cases of gun violence.
The 2005 law is called the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. It’s the law the gunmaker Remington cited in response to the lawsuit brought against it by family members of victims of the 2012 Newtown school shooting.
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut says gunmakers should be held to the same liability standards as other industries.
“This sweeping immunity is a special abomination. It denies someone who suffers harm from a violation of the standard of care that is the bedrock of the justice system to people who need that redress. Manufacturers and sellers should be held to the same standard of reasonable care that applies to any other industry, and there is no reason for this corporate giveaway and sweetheart deal to them.”
Connecticut’s state Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that the Newtown families had legal standing to sue Remington. The gunmaker has appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.
