Hefley Applauds Passage of Gun Liability Legislation

Press Release

Hefley applauds passage of gun liability legislation

U.S. Rep. Joel Hefley, R-Colo., said legislation that passed the House today would preserve second amendment freedoms and help end politically motivated lawsuits against the firearms industry.

The House passed by a vote of 283-144, S. 397, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. The legislation works to protect manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and importers of firearms or ammunition products from lawsuits that arise from the criminal or unlawful misuse of those products.

Hefley said over the past few years several cities have brought lawsuits against gun manufacturers and others seeking damages for the unlawful use of their product.

"These radical lawsuits are based on the idea that manufacturing industries, which comply with all the laws governing their product, should be held liable for the criminal abuse of their products by individuals beyond their control," said Hefley. "It seems like anymore we are a society that likes to point fingers at the product, rather than the product's user. But, individual responsibility has not yet become a non-existent notion and this bill will help it stay that way."

The Senate passed S. 397 this summer by a vote of 65-31. The legislation will next go to the President to sign into law.

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