Knimrod
10-24-2005, 06:27 AM
Delegation supports protection of gunmakers from lawsuits by crime victims
10/23/2005, 8:53 a.m. ET
http://www.migunowners.org/images/ap.gif
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two Michigan Democrats joined the state's GOP delegation to push away the right of gun crime victims to sue firearms manufacturers and dealers for damages, responding to complaints that large jury awards could topple the industry.
The delegation's nine Republicans were joined by Reps. John Dingell of Dearborn and Bart Stupak of Menominee in voting last week for the measure, which was approved by the Senate in July. President Bush is expected to sign the bill.
"Holding GM accountable for car crashes involving Buicks makes about as much sense as holding a gun manufacturer responsible for the criminal misuse of a firearm," said Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland.
Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, said "misusing weapons for criminal activity is an illegal offense. Manufacturing a lawful product is not."
When the bill is signed into law, about a half-dozen pending lawsuits filed by cities and counties against the gun industry would be set aside.
"This bill protects gun manufacturers but does absolutely nothing to protect innocent victims of gun violence," said Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick, D-Detroit.
In another measure, Dingell and Stupak also joined Republicans to vote to shield fast-food chains from lawsuits that blame the restaurants for making people obese.
The proposal, dubbed the "cheeseburger bill," was inspired after lawsuits accused McDonald's of causing tens of thousands of children to become fat. The food industry has asked Congress and state legislatures to protect it from liability, and so far, 21 states have agreed.
"You cannot litigate personal choices and lifestyles," said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich.
In the Senate, Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., voted in the minority when the Senate defeated a proposal to raise the minimum wage from the current $5.15 per hour to $6.25.
Republicans who opposed the increases said higher minimum wages could force small businesses to slash payrolls or go out of business.
Link to story (http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/news-29/1130072342125660.xml&storylist=newsmichigan)
10/23/2005, 8:53 a.m. ET
http://www.migunowners.org/images/ap.gif
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two Michigan Democrats joined the state's GOP delegation to push away the right of gun crime victims to sue firearms manufacturers and dealers for damages, responding to complaints that large jury awards could topple the industry.
The delegation's nine Republicans were joined by Reps. John Dingell of Dearborn and Bart Stupak of Menominee in voting last week for the measure, which was approved by the Senate in July. President Bush is expected to sign the bill.
"Holding GM accountable for car crashes involving Buicks makes about as much sense as holding a gun manufacturer responsible for the criminal misuse of a firearm," said Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland.
Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, said "misusing weapons for criminal activity is an illegal offense. Manufacturing a lawful product is not."
When the bill is signed into law, about a half-dozen pending lawsuits filed by cities and counties against the gun industry would be set aside.
"This bill protects gun manufacturers but does absolutely nothing to protect innocent victims of gun violence," said Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick, D-Detroit.
In another measure, Dingell and Stupak also joined Republicans to vote to shield fast-food chains from lawsuits that blame the restaurants for making people obese.
The proposal, dubbed the "cheeseburger bill," was inspired after lawsuits accused McDonald's of causing tens of thousands of children to become fat. The food industry has asked Congress and state legislatures to protect it from liability, and so far, 21 states have agreed.
"You cannot litigate personal choices and lifestyles," said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich.
In the Senate, Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., voted in the minority when the Senate defeated a proposal to raise the minimum wage from the current $5.15 per hour to $6.25.
Republicans who opposed the increases said higher minimum wages could force small businesses to slash payrolls or go out of business.
Link to story (http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/news-29/1130072342125660.xml&storylist=newsmichigan)