According to the Hartford Courant, a lawsuit filed against the manufacturers of the guns used in the Sandy Hook School shooting can proceed. The families of nine of the victims and one survivor of the attack filed a lawsuit accusing gun makers and sellers of liability in the December 14, 2012 attack in which Adam Lanza killed 26 people at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. Remington Arms Co. and other defendants filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, which was denied today by a Superior Court judge.
In the ruling, Judge Barbara Bellis said the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act could be used to attack the legalality of the plaintiffs’ claims, but not to have the case thrown out at this early stage. The law has been used to protect gunmakers from liability.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was quick to weigh in on the ruling.
“Today’s ruling in Connecticut is an important step forward for these families, who are bravely fighting to hold irresponsible gunmakers accountable for their actions. They deserve their day in court. Period,” said Clinton in a release. “Unfortunately, PLCAA – the sweeping immunity law that protects gun manufacturers and dealers – still remains a major obstacle for these families and others seeking to hold these gun companies accountable. That is why, as president, I would lead the charge to repeal this law. Nothing can make these families whole again after losing their children and loved ones in Sandy Hook, but they deserve a president who will fight for them, and I am committed to doing just that.”
The lawsuit contends that the Bushmaster rifle, a semi-automatic rifle, was marketed in a way that appeals to people intent on inflicting mass casualties.
Remington Arms Co. has not issued a statement as of this time.
