Biden wants to end gun maker liability protections. That could sink the industry, advocates say.

[DonViejo]

“He wants to drive us out of business,” said Mark Oliva, a director at a firearm manufacturer group.

April 9, 2021, 7:48 AM EDT
By Alex Seitz-Wald

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden would like some divine help on his gun control agenda, but his ask might be surprising.

And firearm makers warn the results could be dire for their industry.

During remarks announcing new executive actions to curb gun violence Thursday, Biden's speech took a detour as he imagined being able to ask God to immediately change one gun law, and it wasn't eliminating assault weapons or so-called "bump stocks."

He would have the almighty let people sue gunmakers.

“This is the only outfit that is exempt from being sued. If I get one thing on my list — (if) the Lord came down and said, 'Joe, you get one of these' — give me that one," Biden said at a ceremony at the Rose Garden.

more
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-wants-end-gun-maker-liability-protections-could-sink-industry-n1263556

[Thrill]

1. LOL Biden has become the most Progressive President ever

Unreal.

The guy has become a Progressive’s dream President. Who saw this coming?

[yardwork]

2. Free market. Isn't that what they want?

Let the invisible hand of free enterprise decide. Why should any business have government protection from liability? At least that's what the Republicans are always saying, right? Down with government control! Let the market decide.

[hack89]

5. It was a purely political act after gun control groups tried to sue gun makers into bankruptcy.

They failed and this was the pay back. I am always surprised at the ineptitude of US gun control groups - from the federal AWB to the present you would think they were a front for the NRA considering the end results.

[dsc]

9. actually they didn't fail and that is why the NRA went to Congress

they were in point of fact on the verge of winning.

[hack89]

13. "Almost" is the story of gun control groups

they just don't seem to have their acts together enough to get across the finish line. The AWB was their biggest mistake - because of that, the NRA were very prepared politically to get the PLCAA in place.

[dsc]

17. well they didn't have a time machine

they were literally on the verge of winning and then Congress changed the law. In a very real sense every single, solitary gun death is on their heads.

[kcr]

20. If they failed as you say, then the law worked

Why do they need special protections that other industries don't get? If they're following the law and making perfectly safe products, then what's the problem?

[hack89]

22. You can actually sue gun manufacturers for defective products

That is one of the six circumstances they can be sued for. You just can't sue them for the criminal acts of some third party. So I agree with you that if they are making and selling guns in accordance with all laws then they should not be sued. But that was not what the law suitswereabout.

[mitch96]

3. ""He wants to drive us out of business," I'm assuming with the amount of firearms in this country

You could end manufacture and STILL have too many guns in the hands of wackjobs YMMV
m

[CrispyQ]

4. I'm embarrassed to admit I wasn't even aware of this law.

Go for it, Joe!

[lagomorph777]

6. Thoughts and prayers.

I thought they should have been driven out of business decades ago; I pray for their extinction.

[FakeNoose]

7. Yes of course, gunmakers have had 100 years of impunity

... and they have done nothing but abuse it. It needs to end.
They should be held liable, and if it puts them out of business - so be it.

[marble falls]

8. He doesn't want to drive them out of business. He wants them to act responsibly.

[Bettie]

10. If your industry depends on never being held responsible for

the products you provide, it isn't a business that should survive.

[634-5789]

11. The deep anguish I feel for the gun manufacturers is ...ahhh...never mind.

[Voltaire2]

12. there is no right to manufacture guns

I've read the 2nd many times, "build and sell arms" just aint in there.

So the gunz industry can just go fuck off.

[intheflow]

14. Every gun manufacturer could still make gobs of money

just selling hunting rifles and cylinder hand guns. No civilian needs automatic or semiautomatic weapons in their homes. Even if you take the 2nd Amendment at face value, the current state of US military might is not going to be deterred by your stash of AR-15s.

[SYFROYH]

18. There is nothing to prevent the same lawsuits if a criminal used a 5-round bolt action or 6-shooter

If a manufacturer creates a mechanically safe and BATFE approved firearm, legally sells it to a distributor, who legally sells it to a dealer, who legally sells it to a background-check approved buyer and then that buyer commits a crime with the firearm they can be sued into oblivion even if it is a single round muzzle loader.

[SYFROYH]

15. I wish Joe were more accurate when talking about PLCAA

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protection_of_Lawful_Commerce_in_Arms_Act

Gun manufacturers CAN be sued for "defective products, breach of contract, criminal misconduct, and other actions for which they are directly responsible in much the same manner that any U.S.-based manufacturer of consumer products is held responsible. They may also be held liable for negligent entrustment when they have reason to know a gun is intended for use in a crime."

Gun manufacturers CANNOT be sued for following the law precisely when manufacturing BATFE approved firearms and selling them legally to distributors who legally sell them to dealers who legally sell them to individuals who then commit a crime. Same for distributors and dealers.

And yes, the PLCAA was created when politicians revealed that the purpose of the lawsuits against gun manufacturers is to bankrupt companies.

HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo was quoted as saying that gun manufacturers that did not comply would suffer "death by a thousand cuts", and Eliott Spitzer said that those who didn't cooperate would have bankruptcy lawyers "knocking at your door".[7]

It's very simple, if you want gun manufacturers, distributors, or dealers to do something different, pass a law.

[kcr]

19. President Biden is plenty accurate

Gun companies aren't entitled to protections that other industries don't get. If they're following the law, then there shouldn't be any problem when they get sued.

[SYFROYH]

21. Well, big-pharma has similar protections against vacinations that go wrong

Although they do contribute to a victim fund.


The thing about civil lawsuits is that it's not always about following laws per see and emotions can override commonsense when siding for a plaintiff.

[kacekwl]

16. Tough beans. The plan of President Biden will

cause another run on gun purchases because of course they want to take your gun again. These frightened gun humpers will buy as many as they can at whatever price is set cause you know, don't tread on me, come and take it shit.