Anti-Gun Amendments Derail Crucial Bill

Shortly before this issue went to press, anti-gun Senators succeeded in temporarily derailing a legal reform bill (S.1805) that would have stopped "junk" lawsuits against gun makers by tacking on gun-control amendments, despite a plea from President Bush that the Senate pass a "clean" bill. President Bush strongly supports the legislation because it protects American jobs.

The bill, sponsored by a majority of the Senate, would throw out junk lawsuits filed as part of a coordinated strategy to financially ruin the firearms industry. However, the bill was rejected by the Senate 90- 8 after amendments were added to extend a federal law banning cosmetic features on certain semi-automatic firearms and requiring background checks at gun shows when private individuals sell guns.

In April of 2003, the House of Representatives passed a "clean" version of the bill by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 285-140. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the firearms industry’s trade association, strongly advocated this common-sense legislation.

The NSSF estimates that its members have spent approximately $150 million defending lawsuits it describes as frivolous because they seek to blame federally licensed firearm manufacturers for the actions of criminals who misuse lawfully sold, non-defective firearms to commit crimes. "While we are disappointed by the recent developments, we remain confident there is sufficient bipartisan support in the Congress to pass common-sense legal reform that will put a stop to predatory lawsuits that threaten to destroy our industry and put tens of thousands of Americans out of work, said Lawrence G.

Keane, NSSF vice president and general counsel. Keane noted that even President Bush, who supports an extension of the ban on certain semiautomatic firearms despite the fact it has not reduced crime as promised by the Clinton administration, wanted the Senate to pass the bill without any contentious amendments. The Fraternal Order of Police, which supports an extension of the so-called "assault weapon ban" wrote the Senate urging that the issue not be taken up as part of the pending legislation.

Keane called upon the leadership of both parties in the Senate and the White House to "find away to protect a law-abiding and responsible industry and the jobs of tens of thousands of honest, hardworking Americans from frivolous lawsuits. "Congress needs to follow the lead of over 30 states that have already enacted similar legal reforms to stop lawsuit abuse and restore integrity to the nation’s judicial system, said Keane.

To learn more about NSSF’s safety programs and the promotion of th nsible use of its members’ products, visit its website at Editor Keith Lawrence Technical