Alphecca

Gun Grabbers Lose in Illinois

Score another victory for common sense in Illinois, this time regarding the City of Chicago's lawsuit against gunmakers. From Yahoo/AP:

The Illinois Supreme Court threw out two lawsuits accusing gunmakers of knowingly letting weapons fall into the hands of gang members and other criminals, ruling Thursday that the manufacturers cannot legally be blamed for street violence.

Both rulings were unanimous, but five of the seven justices were so disturbed by allegations raised in the case that they wrote a separate opinion urging the Legislature to create tougher gun regulations.

The lawsuits, filed by the city of Chicago and victims of shootings, claimed the defendants created a public nuisance by pouring guns into the Chicago area that are used to kill.

"The mere fact that defendants' conduct in their plants, offices, and stores puts guns into the stream of commerce does not state a claim for public nuisance," the court said. "It is the presence and use of the guns within the city of Chicago that constitutes the alleged nuisance."

The city sought $433 million, the amount it claims it paid in law enforcement and emergency medical treatment for gun violence over four years. The families were seeking unspecified damages.

Similar lawsuits had been filed around the country. An earlier wave of product-liability lawsuits — alleging that guns are unreasonably dangerous — failed.

Needless to say, there were dissenters:

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley called the ruling disheartening.

"More drug dealers and gang bangers are buying more guns," Daley said. "It has nothing to do with the Constitution, and it has nothing to do with hunters and sportsmen and collectors. It's a safety issue."

If prescription drugs and the auto industry can be regulated, the gun industry should be as well, the mayor said.

The anti-gun forces in Illinois have been taking a beating lately what with the other victory I reported on Wednesday.