Newtown Victim’s Families’ Lawsuit Against Gun Maker Dismissed
The dismissal was based on a law that grants gun manufacturers immunity from liability for crimes committed with their weapons.
Judge Barbara Bellis dismissed the case Oct. 14.
A Connecticut judge dismissed a lawsuit against the maker of the Bushmaster assault rifle that had been filed by relatives of the victims of the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.
The lawsuit was filed in 2015 by the families of ten victims in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, according to ABC News.
Remington Arms Company, LLC, the defendant in the case, applauded Judge Barbara Bellis’ ruling. Attorneys representing Remington had filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit several months ago.
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The defense had argued that the company was not responsible for the mass shooting because of a federal law that protects gun manufacturers and dealers from liability for crimes committed with their products.
That law, known as The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, was referenced by Judge Bellis in her decision.
“[The plaintiffs] seek damages for harms, including the deaths of the plaintiffs’ descendants, that were caused solely by the criminal misuse of a weapon by Adam Lanza. Accordingly, this action falls squarely within the broad immunity provided by PLCAA,” Bellis wrote.
Remington will have 15 days to try to make Bellis’ decision final. After that, the plaintiffs can attempt to appeal the case to the Supreme Court.
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