Congress Supports Gun Manufacturers

Congress has voted in favor of a bill that prohibits civil liability actions from being brought or continued against manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or importers of firearms or ammunition for damages resulting from the misuse of their products by others. “Our laws should punish criminals who use guns to commit crimes, not law-abiding manufacturers of lawful products,” said President George W. Bush, in a statement before he signed the bill.

Since 1998, more than 30 city, county, and state governments have filed lawsuits against the firearm industry to demand compensation for the public costs associated with gun violence, such as police investigation, emergency personnel, public health resources, courts, and prisons. The House voted 283-144 in favor of the bill, following its 65-31 approval by the Senate in July.