{"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.

","official_title":"To repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, and provide for the discoverability and admissibility of gun trace information in civil proceedings.","short_title":"Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act","popular_title":null,"short_summary":"Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act\n\nThis bill amends the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act to repeal provisions that prohibit state or federal civil actions or administrative proceedings from being brought against firearm or ammunition manufacturers, sellers, importers, dealers, or trade associations for criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm by the person bringing the action or a third party.\n\nThe bill lifts the immunity from legal process of the Firearms Trace System database maintained by the National Trace Center of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 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?