Bob
07-29-2005, 04:49 PM
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With the Senate set to pass legislation that would halt civil suits that aim to hold the firearms industry responsible for gun violence, foes of the bill made a last-ditch effort to try to weaken it.
The "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act" would provide broad immunity from civil lawsuits filed by dozens of cities and municipalities against gun makers, dealers and distributors. It would also make it much harder for individuals to bring civil liability suits if they or their family members were harmed by guns.
The bill is a top priority for the National Rifle Association, the influential gun lobby, and has strong support from President Bush.
About a dozen Democrats, including Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, support the bill along with most Republicans.
The Senate vote is set for later Friday. The House plans to pass it after the summer recess that begins next week.
Critics of the legislation said they knew from the start this bill was unstoppable, yet they had hoped to amend it to include some gun control provisions, such as requiring background checks for gun shows. But they were outmaneuvered.
On Friday, the critics outlined several amendments aimed at narrowing the scope of the legal protections for the industry. New Jersey Democrat Frank Lautenberg, for instance, tried to carve out an exemption for cases involving the death of a child.
"This bill gives them a free pass," he said.
A KEY AMERICAN INDUSTRY
But backers of the legislation, led by Idaho Republican Larry Craig, said they would resist any attempt to water down legislation they say is essential to protect a key American industry and the rights of U.S. gun owners. Craig said he would oppose amendments that would "drive a truck" through the bill, and that the focus should be on criminals, not on the gun industry.
South Dakota Republican Sen. John Thune said it was time to "end the abusive lawsuits" aimed at bankrupting the gun industry.
"This is not about the NRA," he said. "This is about law-abiding gun dealers."
Craig said that people could still sue irresponsible gun dealers, but his opponents said the bill was worded to reduce the grounds for such suits.
Sen. Mike DeWine of Ohio, one of the few Republicans to oppose the bill, said it would topple centuries of civil law, creating one standard of negligence for the gun industry and a different standard for everyone else.
"What in the world are we thinking about," he said Thursday evening, warning fellow senators that they would regret this when some spectacular slaying arises and the victims had no redress.
The debate underscored the strength of pro-gun forces in the Senate and the NRA after last November's elections. Pro-gun control forces could not even prompt a debate on an issue such as how to keep weapons out of the hands of potential terrorists.
"It's a travesty dictated by the NRA," said Rhode Island Democrat Jack Reed. Last year, backers had enough votes to pass the bill but were unable to ward off amendments, including an extension of the assault weapons ban, that the NRA could not accept. Rather than accept the amendments, the bill's sponsors defeated their own legislation.
The "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act" would provide broad immunity from civil lawsuits filed by dozens of cities and municipalities against gun makers, dealers and distributors. It would also make it much harder for individuals to bring civil liability suits if they or their family members were harmed by guns.
The bill is a top priority for the National Rifle Association, the influential gun lobby, and has strong support from President Bush.
About a dozen Democrats, including Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, support the bill along with most Republicans.
The Senate vote is set for later Friday. The House plans to pass it after the summer recess that begins next week.
Critics of the legislation said they knew from the start this bill was unstoppable, yet they had hoped to amend it to include some gun control provisions, such as requiring background checks for gun shows. But they were outmaneuvered.
On Friday, the critics outlined several amendments aimed at narrowing the scope of the legal protections for the industry. New Jersey Democrat Frank Lautenberg, for instance, tried to carve out an exemption for cases involving the death of a child.
"This bill gives them a free pass," he said.
A KEY AMERICAN INDUSTRY
But backers of the legislation, led by Idaho Republican Larry Craig, said they would resist any attempt to water down legislation they say is essential to protect a key American industry and the rights of U.S. gun owners. Craig said he would oppose amendments that would "drive a truck" through the bill, and that the focus should be on criminals, not on the gun industry.
South Dakota Republican Sen. John Thune said it was time to "end the abusive lawsuits" aimed at bankrupting the gun industry.
"This is not about the NRA," he said. "This is about law-abiding gun dealers."
Craig said that people could still sue irresponsible gun dealers, but his opponents said the bill was worded to reduce the grounds for such suits.
Sen. Mike DeWine of Ohio, one of the few Republicans to oppose the bill, said it would topple centuries of civil law, creating one standard of negligence for the gun industry and a different standard for everyone else.
"What in the world are we thinking about," he said Thursday evening, warning fellow senators that they would regret this when some spectacular slaying arises and the victims had no redress.
The debate underscored the strength of pro-gun forces in the Senate and the NRA after last November's elections. Pro-gun control forces could not even prompt a debate on an issue such as how to keep weapons out of the hands of potential terrorists.
"It's a travesty dictated by the NRA," said Rhode Island Democrat Jack Reed. Last year, backers had enough votes to pass the bill but were unable to ward off amendments, including an extension of the assault weapons ban, that the NRA could not accept. Rather than accept the amendments, the bill's sponsors defeated their own legislation.