Knimrod
10-26-2005, 11:42 PM
Landmark Gun Bill Becomes Law
By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com Senior Editor
October 26, 2005
(CNSNews.com) - President George W. Bush on Wednesday signed a bill intended to protect the gun industry from politically motivated lawsuits stemming from the criminal misuse of their products.
The "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act" (S. 397) passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan support.
"This is an historic day for freedom," said Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, which made the bill its top legislative priority. He called it the most significant piece of pro-gun legislation in 20 years.
"History will show that this law helped save the American firearms industry from collapse under the burden of these ruinous and politically motivated lawsuits," LaPierre added.
In late July, the Senate approved the measure 65-31. Last week, the House overwhelmingly passed the bill 283-144.
"What we witness today is the culmination of a seven-year effort that included a comprehensive legislative and election strategy," said Chris W. Cox, NRA's chief lobbyist.
"We worked hard to change the political landscape to pass this landmark legislation." Cox said, adding that "key electoral victories" in 2000, 2002 and 2004 paved the way for passage of the law.
LaPierre said the law will preserve both the American firearms industry as well as American manufacturing jobs.
"American companies will cease to make products if they continue to be sued every time a violent criminal they do not know, have never met and cannot control, misuses a legal non-defective product," LaPierre said.
Legal challenge expected
Before Congress even passed the bill, a gun control group announced it would challenge the measure on constitutional grounds.
Lawyers at the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence call the bill a "special interest extravaganza" that threatens the rights of "gun victims."
The Brady Center, which has filed a number of negligence/nuisance lawsuits against the gun industry, said Congress can pass the bill, the president can sign it, but "this shameful law will not stand."
Dennis Henigan, director of the Brady Center's Legal Action Project, said earlier this month that his group believes state and federal courts across the nation are prepared to strike down the law.
Link to story (http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?Page=\Culture\archive\200510\CUL20 051026b.html)
By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com Senior Editor
October 26, 2005
(CNSNews.com) - President George W. Bush on Wednesday signed a bill intended to protect the gun industry from politically motivated lawsuits stemming from the criminal misuse of their products.
The "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act" (S. 397) passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan support.
"This is an historic day for freedom," said Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, which made the bill its top legislative priority. He called it the most significant piece of pro-gun legislation in 20 years.
"History will show that this law helped save the American firearms industry from collapse under the burden of these ruinous and politically motivated lawsuits," LaPierre added.
In late July, the Senate approved the measure 65-31. Last week, the House overwhelmingly passed the bill 283-144.
"What we witness today is the culmination of a seven-year effort that included a comprehensive legislative and election strategy," said Chris W. Cox, NRA's chief lobbyist.
"We worked hard to change the political landscape to pass this landmark legislation." Cox said, adding that "key electoral victories" in 2000, 2002 and 2004 paved the way for passage of the law.
LaPierre said the law will preserve both the American firearms industry as well as American manufacturing jobs.
"American companies will cease to make products if they continue to be sued every time a violent criminal they do not know, have never met and cannot control, misuses a legal non-defective product," LaPierre said.
Legal challenge expected
Before Congress even passed the bill, a gun control group announced it would challenge the measure on constitutional grounds.
Lawyers at the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence call the bill a "special interest extravaganza" that threatens the rights of "gun victims."
The Brady Center, which has filed a number of negligence/nuisance lawsuits against the gun industry, said Congress can pass the bill, the president can sign it, but "this shameful law will not stand."
Dennis Henigan, director of the Brady Center's Legal Action Project, said earlier this month that his group believes state and federal courts across the nation are prepared to strike down the law.
Link to story (http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?Page=\Culture\archive\200510\CUL20 051026b.html)