Gun makers lose problem to New York legislation allowing lawsuits towards trade

Weapons confiscated at New York City public colleges are displayed at a news conference with Mayor Eric Adams at police headquarters to speak about weapons in public schools in New York City on May 25, 2022 in New York City.

Spencer Platt | Getty Images

A federal decide on Wednesday threw out a lawsuit by a gaggle of gun producers, distributors and retailers challenging the constitutionality of a New York law that allows the state and other people affected by gun violence to sue the trade.

U.S. District Judge Mae D'Agostino in Albany rejected a request by the Nationwide Shooting Sports activities Basis and gun manufacturers, including Smith & Wesson and Sturm, Ruger & Co, to enjoin enforcement of the statute.

The ruling came a day after a gunman killed 19 children and two adults at a Texas elementary college, the newest in a spate of mass shootings, prompting renewed calls by Democrats for tougher gun regulations.

The National Capturing Sports activities Basis, a commerce group for the firearms industry, didn't instantly respond to a request for remark.

Democratic former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo final July signed into legislation a measure that seeks to beat authorized hurdles that have largely shielded the industry from lawsuits related to gun violence.

The legislation permits firearm sellers, manufacturers and distributors to be sued by the state, cities or people for creating a "public nuisance" that endangers the general public's safety and well being.

The gun business group argued the law wrongly imposes liability on companies working wherever within the nation that make, promote or market guns or ammunition that are misused by criminals in New York.