Alphecca

Gun Maker Shield Bill Update

Good story about support for the "Lawful Commerce" bill in Congress from the Rapid City Journal:

RAPID CITY -- Against the backdrop of a Rapid City firearms business and two days before pheasant-hunting season opens in South Dakota, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said Thursday he is hoping for final passage of legislation protecting gun manufacturers and retailers from lawsuits involving misuse of their products.

Speaking to a group of about 40 people at H-S Precision in Rapid City, Thune said the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act is headed for the U.S. House of Representatives after passage in July by the Senate.

Rep. Stephanie Herseth, D-S.D., is a co-sponsor of a companion bill in the House. Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., voted for the legislation.

About 40 lawsuits have been filed since 1998 “trying to hold firearms manufacturers responsible for the criminal acts of those using their products,” Thune said.

Lawsuits of this type could “pose a serious threat to a cornerstone industry in our state” because of the millions of dollars companies are spending to fight them, Thune said. “With 22 firearms companies based in South Dakota providing more than 500 jobs, the firearms industry plays a key role in our state’s economy.”

He said 54 percent of South Dakotans are gun owners. Each year, South Dakota issues more than 120,000 resident hunting licenses, “and nearly 100,000 nonresident hunters visit our state each year to support our tourism and hunting industry,” Thune said.

The current composition of the Senate allowed for passage of the legislation, Thune said. Previous attempts were stopped by amendments involving assault weapons, gun shows and trigger locks, he said.

“This time, we fended them (the amendments) off,” Thune said. “The message that sends to the House is, pass a clean bill.”