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Coalition Against Gun Violence |
Originally appeared in Newsletter Vol. x,
No. y, December 1999
The U.S. Senate approved bill S.397 on July 29 that would immunize gun manufacturers and sellers from liability suits over the misuse of their products. This bill would provide a special exception from federal laws regarding negligence and laws in all 50 states and the federal government, that apply to every other manufacturer and seller of every other consumer product in America.
Laws regarding negligence protect responsible businesses, as well as innocent Americans, because they require manufacturers and sellers of consumer products to be responsible, and such laws also insulate businesses from unreasonable lawsuits. The gun industry, however, along with the tobacco industry want to be removed from virtually all lawsuits for negligence or defective products. Previously, both industries enjoyed a special liability exemption. Should HR800 pass the House, this would make guns and tobacco the only two consumer products to be exempted from federal Consumer Product Safety laws and regulations.
The fact that the manufacturers and sellers of two inherently dangerous products, guns and tobacco, were given the only two exceptions from our country's product safety requirements is indefensible. It demonstrates their extraordinary political and financial powers over a majority of members of Congress. Passage of the highly partisan measure was assured with the help of 14 Democrats, including Robert Byrd of West Virginia, who broke party ranks to push the bill past the 60 votes needed for passage. Just two Republicans – Lincoln Chaffee of Rhode Island and Ohio's Michael DeWine – did the opposite and voted against the measure. The bill passed by a 65-32 vote. California Senator Barbara Boxer voted against the bill. Senator Dianne Feinstein was absent.
Supporters say the bill, which still requires House approval, is needed to save the American gun industry from financial destruction at the hands of predatory liability lawsuits. Gun-control advocates have declared the effort as a special-interest gift to the gun industry for its support of conservative politicians at election time.
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Copyright © 1999-2007 Coalition Against Gun Violence. All rights reserved.
A Project of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
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