A bad trade. The trial lawyers would have figured a way around the anti-lawsuit part, but the AW ban would stand.
Once the AW ban sunsets, even for a month, people will stockpile magazines, and pre-ban-type weapons so that a temporary resumption of the ban would be irrelevant for a long time
I don't have a precise handle on it, but the preponderance of "stupid" cases have been getting thrown out. The people have many levels to work on, and not every matter requires a Congressional solution.
I see it differently. If the AWB is renewed it will be with us forever; nearly impossible to eliminate and an open door for adding model after model of firearm to the ban list. OTOH if the AWB sunsets it will be very difficult for a new and similar ban to be instituted. As Lott says; it will be seen as the ten year failed waste of time and money that it is.
As for the gunmaker's liability bill? It's just a bill going through the process.
Like almost every bill that has become law it will have its ups and downs and be tortured and teased by political wrangling having nothing to do with the bill itself. It's a good bill with strong support and will very likely be passed within a year's time.
Oh, I forgot. These people (socialist dems, RINOs) despise the armed services, too.