Posted on 10/16/2002 9:07:27 AM PDT by white trash redneck
WASHINGTON -- A measure that would shield gun manufacturers and dealers from lawsuits related to criminal gun violence has been tabled by House leaders amid the recent sniper shooting spree.
The bill is co-sponsored by all three members of West Virginia's House delegation.
Just two weeks ago, the bill appeared to have substantial momentum, passing out of committee and scheduled for a vote on the House floor. Then came the series of one-shot killings in Washington's suburbs and a decision that, with the sniper still at large, the debate could be "too emotional, too passionate."
The bill's primary sponsor, Florida Republican Cliff Stearns, told Congressional Quarterly, a Capitol Hill journal, a vote was postponed indefinitely. "Perception," was Stearns' explanation.
But the rash of shootings at suburban strip malls and off-ramp gas stations has not shaken the support of West Virginia lawmakers, although they decry the violence.
"It goes to a fairness issue," said Republican Shelley Moore Capito, one of 231 co-sponsors of the House bill. "If a gun is used in the perpetration of a crime, is it fair to have legal ramifications on a gunmaker if everything has been done on the up-and-up?"
Rep. Nick Joe Rahall, D-W.Va., agrees, "Liability ought to be placed on the person responsible for the crime."
But opponents of the measure say gunmakers and dealers do share the responsibility. "If you're a gun dealer and you sell 150 Saturday night specials to an individual purchaser who pays in cash, you should know there are foreseeable consequences to your action," said Jonathan Lowy, a senior attorney with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
The bill would give gunmakers and dealers special rights and "shut the courthouse door" to victims and their families, he said.
The legislation would bar civil lawsuits in federal or state courts for harm caused by the criminal misuse of a firearm. There are some exceptions, such as when injuries are caused by a manufacturing or design defect.
On its Web site, the National Rifle Association continues to call progress on the bill "promising." Officials from the organization could not be reached for comment.
But with a sniper terrorizing the Washington suburbs, House Republicans have put a hold, at least temporarily, on the bill.
Capito said recent events haven't changed her mind on gun issues, but have "reinforced the idea that there's this paralysis that occurs from the possibility of random acts of violence."
The bill has a Senate companion, which is unlikely to move out of committee. Neither West Virginia senator is among the 43 co-sponsors.
Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., said the bill isn't a gun control measure. "It has much more to do with protecting the financial interests of the gun industry rather than gun control," he said.
Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., said he supports gun owners' rights but believes the government has the "responsibility to protect innocent citizens, especially children, from illegal guns used by violent criminals."
True!
Those are illegal - for civiians, at least, aren't they?
I would think this would point out the failure of gun control laws. They don't work!
The lawsuits aren't designed to compensate, they are weapons to put the manufacturers out of business.
Remember that the whole "gun control" issue has been an incremental attack from day 1. These @$$holes have an endgame, and regardless of whether the memo supposedly obtained from the Brady organization back in the early '90's is genuine or a well crafted hoax, the desired outcome by the groups is identical. Disarm America.
It doesn't matter who the perps are, it doesn't matter if they are proven terrorists. All that is necessary from the grabbers, and their fellow travelers, the news media, is to document EVERY shooting (when it's a crime) and ignore EVERY shooting (when self defense is involved). Most pols are cowards anyway, and live by the public opinion survey. They know that this is a hot issue, and winds up losing both ways, from the Carvillian doctrine of not bringing it up before an election, or a cowardly GOP position of fearing Democratic wrath and possible bad press before an election, the result is the same.
This is all the more reason to apply the simple litmus test to the candidates. Either they support the 2A as written, or they don't get the vote. There is 0 room for compromise in this matter. The stakes are simply too great
Keep the Faith for Freedom : FMCDH!!!!
Greg
Those are illegal - for civiians, at least, aren't they?
No, just highly regulated. One manufactured after the mid eighties might be illegal, Otherwise you's just have to pay a $200 tax. And that's assuming it was the full auto capable version. The semi auto versions are perfectely legal.
I would think this would point out the failure of gun control laws. They don't work!
It does point out that fact, but you can't use logic on the gun grabbers, they can't think, they can only feel.
Senior Attorney??? That act alone would require a TRUCKLOAD of FFL forms, not to mention the fact that the BUYER would also gain the "responsibility of distribution", not the manufacturer. I'm growing so very tired of this litigation driven offensive, the House failed miserably on this opportunity.
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