New Legal Strategies in Gun Control Efforts: States Challenge Federal Immunity

Thu Oct 30 2025 19:40:51 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As federal protections for firearm manufacturers face scrutiny, several states are enacting laws aimed at holding gun makers accountable for violence committed with their products.

Following the 2005 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act that shielded gun manufacturers from lawsuits for misuse of firearms, states are now reworking legal approaches. Recent laws in 10 states, including Connecticut, allow for legal action against manufacturers and sellers who fail to prevent firearms from reaching harmful individuals. Advocates see this as a crucial step forward in gun safety, despite opposition from gun rights proponents who argue these laws circumvent existing federal protections.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Two decades after Congress passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), granting gun manufacturers immunity against lawsuits tied to crimes committed with their products, a growing number of states are seeking new avenues to challenge this legal shield amid ongoing gun violence concerns.

Since 2021, ten states have introduced legislation aimed at making it easier to sue gun manufacturers and sellers. The latest state to do so is Connecticut, where a new law takes effect this month allowing lawsuits against firearms manufacturers and retailers if they fail to take reasonable steps to prevent guns from falling into the hands of prohibited persons or those presenting a danger to themselves or others.

Gun control advocates argue that these laws are necessary to ensure that the firearm industry is held accountable for their products. Po Murray, chair of the Newtown Action Alliance, emphasizes that the objective is not just to open courts for survivors but also to mandate responsible operations within the gun industry to prevent future tragedies.

However, these legislative changes have triggered backlash from gun rights advocates who argue that the new laws violate the protections established by PLCAA. Lawrence Keane, a spokesperson for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, claims these laws are unconstitutional and are intended to financially burden the industry.

Gun violence prevention groups believe that establishing clearer requirements can foster responsibility within the gun industry, thereby enhancing public safety. Notably, similar lawsuits were previously attempted following incidents of violence but were largely dismissed after the enactment of federal protections.

The changes in state law are seen as a strategic shift to create avenues for litigation that were previously nonexistent, inspired by prior successful lawsuits against gun manufacturers, including one against Remington that resulted in a significant settlement related to the Sandy Hook tragedy.

With advocacy groups optimistic about the impact of these laws, the future of gun legislation remains uncertain as courts may soon have to weigh in on the constitutionality of these state measures. The legal landscape continues to evolve, spotlighting the ever-controversial debate over gun rights and public safety.