US bill protects gunmakers from suits
From correspondents in Washington
October 21, 2005
THE US Congress today gave final approval to a bill protecting gun sellers and manufacturers from lawsuits brought by crime victims.
The measure - approved by a vote of 283 to 144, and which now goes to US President George W. Bush for his signature - received a big push from the powerful pro-gun lobby group the National Rifle Association (NRA).
The NRA said the bill is essential to provide relief to an industry that has been besieged in recent years by litigation.
"The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act is a vital bill that will save the centuries-old, law-abiding and highly regulated American industry that has persevered under the burden of these predatory lawsuits," the group said in a statement.
The NRA said the bill also would enhance US security by "preventing frivolous lawsuits against an industry that plays an important role in fulfilling our military's procurement needs".
Gun control advocates, meanwhile, slammed the legislation as an "atrocity".
"The NRA has been pushing this bill for seven years and, thanks to your efforts, it has never been able to get it through Congress," said the Brady Campaign Against Gun Violence, a non-profit group.
"But now gun lobby extremists are in control," the group said, accusing backers of the bill of "heaping this atrocity on our nation".
The Brady Campaign said that, having lost the battle to stop the bill's passage, it would now fight for its repeal.
"The more opposition we show now, the better our chances of undoing this travesty in the future. Our nation has always expanded rights and justice, and one day we will reverse this abomination," the Brady Campaign said.
Link Here
October 21, 2005
THE US Congress today gave final approval to a bill protecting gun sellers and manufacturers from lawsuits brought by crime victims.
The measure - approved by a vote of 283 to 144, and which now goes to US President George W. Bush for his signature - received a big push from the powerful pro-gun lobby group the National Rifle Association (NRA).
The NRA said the bill is essential to provide relief to an industry that has been besieged in recent years by litigation.
"The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act is a vital bill that will save the centuries-old, law-abiding and highly regulated American industry that has persevered under the burden of these predatory lawsuits," the group said in a statement.
The NRA said the bill also would enhance US security by "preventing frivolous lawsuits against an industry that plays an important role in fulfilling our military's procurement needs".
Gun control advocates, meanwhile, slammed the legislation as an "atrocity".
"The NRA has been pushing this bill for seven years and, thanks to your efforts, it has never been able to get it through Congress," said the Brady Campaign Against Gun Violence, a non-profit group.
"But now gun lobby extremists are in control," the group said, accusing backers of the bill of "heaping this atrocity on our nation".
The Brady Campaign said that, having lost the battle to stop the bill's passage, it would now fight for its repeal.
"The more opposition we show now, the better our chances of undoing this travesty in the future. Our nation has always expanded rights and justice, and one day we will reverse this abomination," the Brady Campaign said.
Link Here
posted by Kangaroo Brisbane Australia at 6:19 AM
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