Senate Republicans move up gun lawsuit bill for possible Friday vote News
Senate Republicans move up gun lawsuit bill for possible Friday vote

[JURIST] After debate earlier this week [JURIST report], Senate Republicans have moved up a bill to shield gun companies and dealers from liability lawsuits [text], placing it ahead of a defense bill [USA Today report] for a possible vote on Friday. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) [official website] said the law is needed because, "frivolous suits threaten a domestic industry that is critical to our national defense, jeopardize hundreds of thousands of jobs and put at risk that law-abiding citizens have access to guns for recreational use." Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) [official website] said the threat of litigation was being overstated [press release], citing SEC statements from gun companies that claim lawsuits do not pose a threat to their bottom line. USA Today has more.