Daschle supports proposal on guns

[Freddie Stubbs]

Manufacturers get lawsuit protection

WASHINGTON - Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle signed on Thursday to a bill backed by the National Rifle Association that would shield gun manufacturers and retailers from liability in most lawsuits.

The South Dakotan, who is up for re-election next year, had waited to commit to the measure - the NRA's top legislative priority this year.

Daschle had said he supported the bill's principles but was concerned that it might block some legitimate lawsuits. In exchange for his support, the bill's authors agreed to clarify some language about which lawsuits would be allowed.

Gun-control advocates and many urban mayors have been hoping to use lawsuits against gun makers and retailers to crack down on gun violence. Industry representatives counter that the lawsuits could bankrupt gun manufacturers. The pending legislation would block all lawsuits except in cases where gun makers or sellers illegally sold guns to people who should not qualify for them or in cases where the weapons malfunctioned.

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