Posted on 03/27/2002 5:31:59 PM PST by ATOMIC_PUNK
The city of Boston, citing financial concerns and improved weapon safety measures, dropped its lawsuit against the gun industry Wednesday.
The city sued gun manufacturers, distributors and trade groups in June 1999, alleging they were responsible for gun violence. The suit sought to recover the costs of gun-related violence.
Sixteen similar suits are pending involving 25 other cities. Boston's case was expected to be the first to go to trial, in September.
Mayor Thomas M. Menino said the suit was withdrawn after both sides agreed to a resolution that calls for the industry to devote more resources to combating gun violence in Boston.
He also said going to trial was too expensive.
According to the city's top health official, John Auerbach, the city was spending $30,000 per month during the discovery phase of the case. He could not give the total amount spent.
"Under extreme pressure from our suit and others like it, the industry is starting to take small steps to address our concerns of safety and education," the mayor said. "We're not there yet, but it's a move in the right direction."
The mayor cited new state regulations that mandate all firearms meet minimum design and safety standards, and the gun industry's decision to include free locking devices with each firearm.
Dennis Henigan, legal director of the Washington-based Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, which helps litigate the suits, said no other city has voluntarily dropped its suit.
"It is a very sad day, but I think Boston is encouraging other cities to carry on, and we think they will," he said Wednesday.
There have been 21 similar suits in recent years, Henigan said. Courts have dismissed cases brought by New Orleans, Miami, Bridgeport, Conn., and Camden County, N.J.
Five other suits have been dismissed, but are being appealed, he said. Jersey City, N.J., planned to sue the industry on Thursday, Henigan said.
Boston's suit named 31 defendants, including manufacturers Taurus International and Glock.
Gun rights proponents applauded Wednesday's decision to drop the case.
"It indicates they should have never brought the lawsuit to begin with," said James Baker, the National Rifle Association's chief lobbyist. "It's a lesson that other cities ought to take. Criminals are responsible for their own actions, not manufacturers of legal products."
Spokespersons for Glock and Taurus International could not be reached for comment after business hours Thursday.
There were 28,874 gun-related deaths in the United States in 1999, the most recent statistics available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Your tax dollars at work.
Same thing in my town. They don't know how much is received from the state in sales tax revenues, or how much our town gets in taxes on food.
Sorry to get off topic.
The libs will never "get it".sigh
If you believe anything's free in life then you've been working in government waaaaaaaay too long.
Time to move to N.H
Hmmmmm.30 a month, thats a g per day or 365 grand per year for how many years now? two,three?
A million dollars for nothing, but heck it's not like it was THEIR money.
Hat's off to the City of Boston's attorney. /sarcasm
/Try pointing your face towards either 3 O'clock or 9 O'clock. 12 and 6 won't do you enough good.
A spinner is just a paid liar.
Hence, why not put the people in jail, and stop blaming guns for stupid people behavior?
the HELL it is!!!
morons!
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