Judge approves settlement in sniper lawsuit involving gun shop, manufacturer

AP ^ | 12/10/4 | GENE JOHNSON

[SmithL]

SEATTLE -- A judge has signed off on a $2.5 million settlement between relatives of Washington, D.C.-area sniper victims and a gun shop and weapon maker connected to the shootings.

In the settlement reached in September, Bull's Eye Shooter Supply of Tacoma agreed to pay $2 million to two survivors and six families related to the victims of snipers John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo. Gun manufacturer Bushmaster Firearms of Windham, Maine, agreed to pay the remaining $500,000.

Bushmaster made the weapon used in the shootings, which the pair reportedly stole from Bull's Eye. The families' lawsuit alleged that the shop's owners were negligent in allowing that gun and others to disappear, and that Bushmaster was at fault for shipping the gun to an irresponsible dealer.

It marked the first time a gun manufacturer has agreed to pay damages to settle claims of negligent distribution of weapons, according to the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, which helped the families file the lawsuit.

Judge Frank E. Cuthbertson approved the settlement Dec. 3 in Tacoma, though his order was filed under seal, the court said Friday.

Sonia Wills, the mother of victim Conrad Johnson, said $2.5 million "is nothing."

"They know they're worth more than that,"

[Damifino]

this is shameful

[rocksblues]

Oh Oh!

[bushisdamanin04]

I can't understand why Bushmaster would agree to pay anything.

[Texas_Jarhead]

bad, bad move by Bushmaster - they and others will come to regret it

[mainepatsfan]

Trial lawyers are scum.

[Damifino]

500K is cheaper than the defence costs

[dts32041]

Guess they figure Oly snowe and suzie red dress will protect them, of course, maybe their government contracts may come into play.

[Myrddin]

Bushmaster had nothing to do with the criminal act. The gun shop owner does bear some responsibility for failing to account for his merchandise. The rifle was stolen from him, so it wasn't a matter of even a negligent sale. He didn't know it was gone until he checked the empty box. He was negligent in that he failed to maintain control over his inventory until it was conveyed to a legitimate buyer.

This sets a bad precedent. Are the criminals going to have to cover any of this settlement? If not for their criminal acts, this case would not exist at all.

[bushisdamanin04]

Yeah, but the ramifications will be much, much higher.

[FairfaxVA]

Hey, I have a novel idea, let's blame the criminal for their actions. Oh wait, they have no money, so let's go after the gun shop and gun manufacturer. Damn lawyers. I empathize with the victims, but this is the wrong move.

[bushisdamanin04]

I have no problem with nailing the gun shop owner. How he could "lose" even a single weapon is beyond me and the Amended Complaint alleges that at least 238 guns “disappeared” in a three year period.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

Negligence trumps murder, if you're a gun-grabbing police state or its operatives....watch the Animal Farm barn wall for new laws tomorrow. It's a shame that bereaved people so often become fiscally-vindictive tools and pawns of these John Edwards Trial Lawyer type RASCALS who pocket around 1/3 of the settlement....VIPERS!

[Deetes]

Total total total total total total BS !!!!!

[NY Attitude]

Wasn't there a ruling recently by the the courts that gun manufacturers were not liable for the results of a crime being commited with one of their products?

[sarah_f]

A few reminders:

A) Black muslim terrorist muhammad was a member of farrakhan's black muslim terror organization, The Nation of islam.

B) Black muslim terrorist muhammad and his underage butt-boy malvo shot up a local synagogue with a .44 Mag, a bullet lodging in the Ark.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/93311_tacoma29.shtml

C) A days-old Homeland Security raid in Seattle against (gasp!) black muslim terrorists netted several who among other jihad activities, were training their kids at the local gun range to kill Americans. Directly, and I mean directly across the street is an unmarked doorway that is home to the Nation of islam and their paramilitary arm, the Fruit of islam.


But it's all unrelated, islam is peace, diversity is our strength, and we all worship the same G-d.

[Last Dakotan]

500K is cheaper than the defence costs

For now.

[ozzymandus]

What a bunch of crap.

[Cardician]

the camel's nose is now in the tent. Shameful, I will never spend a dime with Bushmaster. I suggest all gun owners do the same. If we show our support by removing support for Bushmaster, other manufacturers will think twice about capitulation.

[facedown]

Huge mistake.