Gun makers lose challenge to New York law permitting lawsuits against business

Guns confiscated at New York Metropolis public faculties are displayed at a information convention with Mayor Eric Adams at police headquarters to speak about guns in public schools in New York Metropolis on Could 25, 2022 in New York Metropolis.

Spencer Platt | Getty Pictures

A federal choose on Wednesday threw out a lawsuit by a group of gun manufacturers, distributors and retailers challenging the constitutionality of a New York legislation that allows the state and other people affected by gun violence to sue the industry.

U.S. District Decide Mae D'Agostino in Albany rejected a request by the National Capturing Sports Basis and gun producers, including Smith & Wesson and Sturm, Ruger & Co, to enjoin enforcement of the statute.

The ruling came a day after a gunman killed 19 kids and two adults at a Texas elementary school, the newest in a spate of mass shootings, prompting renewed calls by Democrats for tougher gun laws.

The National Shooting Sports activities Foundation, a commerce group for the firearms industry, did not instantly reply to a request for remark.

Democratic former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo last July signed into legislation a measure that seeks to beat legal hurdles which have largely shielded the business from lawsuits related to gun violence.

The regulation allows firearm sellers, producers and distributors to be sued by the state, cities or individuals for creating a "public nuisance" that endangers the public's safety and health.

The gun business group argued the legislation wrongly imposes legal responsibility on companies operating wherever within the country that make, sell or market guns or ammunition which are misused by criminals in New York.