Statement by Senator Feinstein

- In Opposition to Giving the Gun Industry Undeserved Liability Protection -

April 9, 2003

"I believe the bill approved by the House of Representatives today and a similar one introduced in the Senate by Senator Larry Craig would give the gun industry special treatment at the expense of innocent Americans who have been harmed by irresponsible actions by firearm manufacturers and dealers.

I plan to do everything I can to defeat this legislation. It is especially troubling because the bill could put an immediate halt to pending lawsuits filed by individuals, organizations and cities against gun manufacturers and dealers. No other industry has the kind of blanket liability protection that would be provided in this bill.

While I do not support meritless lawsuits against the gun industry, it is my belief that gun manufacturers should be held accountable for irresponsible marketing and distribution practices which may cause guns to fall into the hands of criminals, juveniles, or the mentally ill.

Recent cases have produced evidence that suggests the gun industry may be ignoring numerous patented safety devices for guns and intentionally flooding certain markets with guns, knowing and profiting from the fact that the excess weapons will make their way into the hands of criminals.

Lawsuits filed against the gun industry provide a way for victims and municipalities to seek justice from the damages and destruction caused by firearms. Additionally, lawsuits provide this largely unregulated industry with incentive to reform irresponsible manufacturing and distributing practices, proven to be dangerous to the American public.

This bill is simply the latest attempt of the gun lobby to evade industry accountability for its reckless conduct. I believe the Senate needs to protect the rights of those hurt by the gun industry to file their legitimate cases and the need to protect the public from the loss of lives that occurs each and every year caused by the negligence and irresponsible conduct of those in the industry."

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