https://cnycentral.com/news/local/state-lawmakers-working-on-bill-to-hold-firearm-sellers-accountable-for-how-guns-are-usedALBANY (WRGB) — Some state lawmakers are working on a bill that would hold firearm manufacturers and sellers responsible for how guns are used.
The bill would make New York the first state in the nation that its sponsors say would finally hold gun manufacturers accountable when their products are uses illegally, by categorizing the misuse of guns as a public nuisance.
A similar bill was first introduced a dozen years ago but went nowhere after Congress passed legislation at the time generally granting immunity to the firearms industry.
Lawmakers working on this new bill say members of the gun industry should be able to be sued whenever the illegal use of guns creates a public safety danger.
A spokesman for Assembly Member Pat Fahy of Albany, who is one of the co-sponsors, says the latest version of this effort to open gun manufacturers and distributors up to civil liability suits was generated in part by the drive-by shooting that left 12-year-old MJ Rivera of Troy paralyzed when he was hit by a stray bullet.
The latest bill would significantly extend the states’ ability to challenge manufacturers whose products are used illegally.
The goal is to get this passed before the session ends on June 10, 2021.
Assemblywoman Fahy sent out this tweet on the topic earlier on Thursday.
Fahy went on to say that’s why she and Senator Zellnor Myrie of Brooklyn are co-sponsoring this first of its kind in the nation legislation in order to finally hold gun manufacturers responsible.
