FEATURE STORIES

Extreme Gun Lobby Trying Again To Protect Reckless Gun Dealers
February 16, 2005

Washington, DC - It's back. Legislation that would shield gun sellers from being held accountable for negligence in court was introduced in the House of Representatives.

Last year the gun lobby's extremist allies in Congress tried to secure passage of the misleadingly named "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act." that would have granted broad and unprecedented immunity from civil lawsuits to gun manufacturers and gun dealers. It was defeated in the U.S. Senate after a lengthy battle.

The legislation is back, with the introduction of a House bill (H.R. 800). The National Rifle Association is making an all-out effort to push the outrageous legislation through Congress. It's still a horrible public policy idea - editorial writers have written that proponents are "attempting to create a special class of citizens, exempt from the law" (Cleveland Plain Dealer) and that the legislation is "private charity masquerading as public protection" (Indianapolis Star).

• Click here to read the full press release.

Police Officers at Risk from Cop-Killer Gun; Gun Maker May Get Legal Immunity From Congress
February 17, 2005

Washington, DC (2/17/05) - A handgun that shoots bullets that penetrate police body armor has generated alerts to law enforcement officers all over America from numerous sources, including the federal Department of Homeland Security.

The manufacturer has misled federal firearms officials, saying that the weapon's ammunition won't penetrate body armor, despite tests that prove it does. So what is Congress doing about it?

The gun lobby's allies in Congress, with the backing of President Bush, are supporting a bill that would give the gun's manufacturer ironclad protection from legal accountability to police officers shot with this cop-killer weapon. Legislation that would shield the most reckless gun sellers from being held accountable in court for negligent conduct has been introduced in both the House and Senate.

• Click here to read the full press release.