The House of Representatives today, in a move applauded by insurance groups, voted final passage of a bill exempting gun dealers and manufacturers from lawsuits over firearms crimes involving their products.
House members voted 283 to 144 to approve the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (S. 397), which now goes to President Bush for his signature.
Congress' action was praised by the nation's largest insurance association, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big "I").
Under the bill's provisions, lawsuits may not be brought against manufacturers and sellers of firearms or ammunition if the suits are based on criminal or unlawful use of their products by third parties. The legislation passed the Senate with bipartisan support by a vote of 65 to 31.
The Big "I" was joined in supporting the measure by several other insurance industry trade groups, including the American Insurance Association, the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers, the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, and the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.
The five groups collaborated on a letter to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., on July 20th, which voiced strong support of the bill.
"The Big 'I' and its members are very pleased that manufacturers and sellers who make and sell these legal products can no longer be held responsible for the actions of individuals who break the law," said Charles E. Symington Jr., Big "I" senior vice president for government affairs and federal relations.
Mr. Symington voiced the opinion that, "It is fundamentally wrong to hold some individuals liable for the misuse of their products by other irresponsible individuals and criminals, and that is why we worked very hard, with our industry partners, to get this much-needed legislation approved by Congress."
While the legislation limits lawsuits for third-party misuse of firearms, it also provides carefully tailored protections for legitimate lawsuits. Injuries caused by improperly functioning firearms, or instances of sales to underage buyers or intoxicated individuals, will be considered legitimate grounds for legal action.
"This bill weeds out baseless lawsuits brought against individuals who should never be held liable, while protecting consumers who have legitimate cases that deserve to be heard," says Brendan T. Reilly, Big "I" director of federal government affairs.
Mr. Reilly called the bill "a common-sense, middle-ground legal reform that is good for business and consumers alike, and we urge President Bush to sign it into law as soon as possible."
Melissa Shelk, American Insurance Association vice president, federal affairs, said her group also looks forward to President Bush signing the bill and is happy as well with yesterday's House passage of "The Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act" (H.R. 554) by a vote of 307-120.
The food bill, which would end obesity lawsuits against the food industry, now goes to the Senate, where Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is the lead sponsor of a companion bill, S. 980.
"Legal reform has long been a priority for AIA, and we will continue to work with our coalition partners to increase cosponsorship of S. 908," Ms. Shelk stated.
She noted that the Food measure passed by 31 more votes than it had received when it passed in the last Congress.
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