NY Times: Lawyers, Guns and Mayors

[La_Serpiente]

Lawyers, Guns and Mayors
Michael R. Bloomberg is the mayor of New York. Richard M. Daley is the mayor of Chicago. James K. Hahn is the mayor of Los Angeles. Scott L. King is the mayor of Gary, Ind.

Few problems facing American cities are more serious than gun violence. Guns destroy thousands of lives every year and spread fear in our neighborhoods. It is much too easy for criminals to get firearms. And when a handgun is readily available, a minor argument or domestic dispute can quickly escalate into a homicide.

We've worked hard to get illegal guns off the streets, through tough law enforcement, by supporting reasonable gun laws — and by suing gun manufacturers and dealers to get them to take responsibility for their actions. Some two dozen American cities and counties have filed similar lawsuits.

But Congress is on the verge of passing legislation that would undercut the ability of local governments to hold the gun industry accountable for its role in flooding our cities with guns. The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act would shield irresponsible firearms manufacturers, wholesalers, dealers and trade associations from any form of civil liability in cases in which they recklessly or negligently supply firearms to criminals. The bill, which was approved by the House last April, is now being considered in the Senate.

We do not advocate suing manufacturers in all instances when an incident involving a gun causes harm or injury. But shouldn't we be able to sue manufacturers and suppliers when they act with wanton disregard for the safety of our neighborhoods?

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Lawyers, Guns and Mayors

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[RoeBear]

1. One question...

"But shouldn't we be able to sue manufacturers and suppliers when they act with wanton disregard for the safety of our neighborhoods?"

Did the gun manufaturer, supplier and/or dealer follow all federal and state laws when making the sale? If they did then the answer is no.

[MrSandman]

2. I'm not sure about Gary, IN, but

Chicago has banned handguns, NYC has banned handguns, (well for all practical purposes), LAPD has supported the California AWB. The cities have supported unreasonable gun laws. Why should there op-ed be believed when it contains blatant deception?

If they are concerned with dealers, why do they sue manufacturers over the design of their product?

If a gun dealer is criminal or negligient, S659/S1806 will not apply.

The anti-gunners accuse RKBA side of fear and paranoia?

[jhfenton]

3. Such paranoia

Guns destroy thousands of lives every year and spread fear in our neighborhoods.

Oh my god! The guns are coming! The guns are coming!

We've worked hard to get illegal guns off the streets, through tough law enforcement, by supporting reasonable gun laws — and by suing gun manufacturers and dealers to get them to take responsibility for their actions.

I like the rhetoric, "get illegal guns off the streets." Who could be opposed to that? Unless, of course, all guns are "illegal guns," as is the case in Chicago.

But Congress is on the verge of passing legislation that would undercut the ability of local governments to hold the gun industry accountable for its role in flooding our cities with guns.

They are "flooding they our cities with guns." It's such a nice visual. How dare the nasty gun industry comply with the law and sell as many firearms as they can! Can you imagine what would happen if every business tried to sell as much as it could! The horror!

I'm not familiar with James Hahn or Scott King, but Daley and Bloomberg are despicable. I'd go so far as to say that Daley is evil. Bloomberg is new to the political scene, but he may not be far behind.