Posted on 01/05/2005 5:45:31 PM PST by bamaborn
The City Council on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed legislation that would allow crime victims to sue gun manufacturers and dealers who do not follow a set of selling and distribution guidelines. The sponsors of the gun safety package say that by restricting and punishing members of the gun industry, New York's streets will see significantly less gun violence. "Starting today, if they don't clean up their act, they're going to face stiff penalties in courts of law and have to pay compensation to the victims," said Councilman David Yassky, the legislation's main sponsor. Guns used in New York crimes are usually bought in bulk in states with lax gun laws and then resold in the city on the black market, said Yassky, a Brooklyn Democrat. The new legislation, passed 43-2, aims to discourage that practice by holding liable dealers anywhere in the country who sell more than one gun to the same person within 30 days. The mayor said Wednesday the legislation would "help immeasurably" in keeping the city safe and he would sign it into law. A similar bill is pending in the state Legislature in Albany. Firearms dealers and manufacturers can opt not to follow the guidelines, but the legislation would hold them legally responsible if one of their guns resulted in an injury or death in New York.
But the president of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, Tom King, called the bills "ludicrous" and said it was wrong to hold the gun industry responsible for criminals' actions. "Are they going to hold GM liable because one of their cars was used in an illegal fashion?" King said. "It's absolutely misplaced." King said it was too soon to tell whether lawsuits would be filed fighting the legislation.
(Excerpt) Read more at nynewsday.com ...
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I wonder if the New York City Council would be willing to entertain lawsuits against car makers following the next hit-and-run. Last I saw, cars killed more people than guns in NYC.
Great point. Where does it stop? Should Ginsu knife salesmen be on the lookout for a caravan of trial lawyers?
It won't stand the test of Constitutionality.
Nobody has the right to regulate how many guns are purchased by a lawful citizen because there is no criminal definition for a lawful citizen.
Only criminals can be associated with a crime and licensed retailers are sanctioned by the state to sell their hardware so obviously their enterprise is not criminal.
When a firearm is used in a criminal act then it is the criminal who committed the crime, not the firearm.
Knives, 2x4's, bricks and other objects are also frequently used in the commission of crimes so does that make the retailers or manufacturers of those items liable as a participant in the crimes? No.
This law will not stand the constitutional test. The science of the law is irrational and based upon flawed speculation.
This is a great example of why we MUST have conservative judges on the Federal level.
Shoud Anhauser Busch be held liable for drunken driving?
Can crime victims in NY sue the city council for depriving them of their legal means to defend themselves?
Stupid morons, who do they think they are, feds?
"-Yassky, a Brooklyn Democrat."
Jerk!
Depends...do they sell sixpacks a can at a time over a timespan of 1/2 of a year?
Every gun manufacturer should cease immediately to sell anywhere in NY, INCLUDING the Police Departments.
Bloomberg, Pataki, Guliani, ...you'd need to take an African safari if you wanted to see more RINOs in such a small area!
You know, my feet kinda hurt. While they are at it, maybe the NY City Council can roll back the law of gravity, too.
This is right up there with nuclear free zones on the stupid meter.
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An inch? NYC is already three-quarters of a mile down the road with not much further to go. They've already got a near-complete gun ban classified as a felony for "illegal" possession.
I think the Red States should implement a law that stipulates any individual who has a NY High School Diplomas is hired and it turns out he cannot read or write at a High School level, the employer should have the right to sue the NY school district for issuing false and misleading documents, especially if social promotion is involved. If NY wants to be asinine, so can the rest of America.
They should pass a law that will allow citizens to purchase and carry guns, that's what they should do.
And pass a law where the "city council" should get sued if one becomes a victim of a crime or have their house or store robbed.
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