A federal bill aimed at protecting law abiding gunmakers and distributors from legal action could come up for a vote this week in the Senate. The legislation was inspired by a rash of civil lawsuits – not against lawbreakers – but against gun manufacturers, distributors, and dealers who are conducting legal business … legally. Senator Jim Talent says the whole concept of suing legitimate businesspeople who have done nothing illegal makes no sense at all. Talent says suing a a gun manufacturer or dealer because a legally sold weapon was used by a criminal would be the same as suing General Motors or Ford because one of their vehicles was used as a getaway car in a crime. Talent points out the legislation does not prevent legal action against lawbreaking dealers or those who sell defective products. The U.S. House has already approved its version of the legislation.
