Key facts
- The Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to a New York law that permits lawsuits against gun manufacturers and dealers for harms caused by the misuse of their products.
- The National Shooting Sports Foundation, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Beretta, Glock, Sig Sauer, and Sturm were among those challenging the law.
- The challenge argued that the New York law invalidates the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act of 2005, which provides broad immunity to the firearms industry.
- New York Attorney General Letitia James asserted that the state law allows for liability in certain situations, even under the federal act.
- State Senator Zellnor Myrie, the law's author, stated that the legislation is necessary to protect New York residents' health and safety.
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a challenge brought by the gun industry against a New York law enacted in 2021. This law permits lawsuits against gun manufacturers and dealers for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of their products.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), along with manufacturers such as Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Beretta, Glock, Sig Sauer, and Sturm, had appealed a lower court's decision. They argued that the New York statute effectively nullifies the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act of 2005, which grants broad immunity to the firearms industry from most civil liability lawsuits stemming from the misuse of their products by third parties.
Mark Oliva, a spokesperson for the NSSF, stated that the industry group believes criminals should be held responsible for their actions and that holding the firearm industry liable for criminal misuse is comparable to holding an auto manufacturer responsible for damages from drunk-driving incidents.
Republican Representatives Claudia Tenney and Nick Langworthy of New York filed a brief in support of the gun manufacturers' appeal. However, New York Attorney General Letitia James maintains that under certain circumstances, the gun industry can be held liable for the actions of third parties, even with the 2005 federal law in place.
Democratic State Senator Zellnor Myrie, the author of the 2021 law, emphasized that the legislation is crucial for protecting the health and safety of New York residents.