{"bills":[{"photos":{"featured":"https://assets.causes.com/bill/photo/hr4399-114/featured_equal-access-to-justice-for-victims-of-gun-violence-act-1460395304.jpg","featured_large":"https://assets.causes.com/bill/photo/hr4399-114/featured_large_equal-access-to-justice-for-victims-of-gun-violence-act-1460395304.jpg","shareable":"https://n.causes.com/share-images/bills/hr4399-114.png"},"introduced_on":"2016-02-01","title_override":"Should it be Easier to Sue Gun Manufacturers and Distributors When People Misuse Guns?","summary_override":"

This bill would repeal portions of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) that provide manufacturers, distributors, and dealers of firearms, as well as their trade associations, with immunity from civil liability in negligence and product liability suits. Repealing those protections from civil liability would allow businesses connected with the firearm industry to be sued by the victims of gun violence.

The Firearm Trace System database that is maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) could be subpoenaed or otherwise used as evidence during legal proceedings in civil actions, federal court, or administrative proceedings.

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In state or federal civil actions or administrative proceedings, the contents of the database: (1) shall be subject to discovery and admissible as evidence; and (2) may be used, relied on, or disclosed in any manner. Testimony or other evidence may also be permitted based on that data.","summarized":true,"cost":null,"cost_commentary":"A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.","impact":"Gun buyers, sellers, distributors, and manufacturers; victims of gun violence; civil and federal courts, as well as administrative hearings.","argument_for":"Existing legal protections for the firearm industry mainly benefit the worst behaving companies. 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Should it be Easier to Sue Gun Manufacturers and Distributors When People Misuse Guns?