"WASHINGTON (AP) -- The GOP-controlled House on Wednesday passed legislation to protect the firearm industry from lawsuits that allege links between gun marketing and street violence.
House Republicans said the industry is being attacked through frivolous suits blaming gun manufacturers and dealers for violence by criminals. The suits could end the American gun industry by making companies spend millions in court, said the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wisconsin.
"Those who are filing lawsuits against the firearm industry are doing so because they want to bankrupt the industry," he said.
The legislation, which passed the House by a 285-140 vote, "would help prevent abuse of the legal system and help curb the growing problem of frivolous lawsuits in the United States," the White House said in a statement. "At the same time, the legislation would carefully preserve the right of individuals to have their day in court with civil liability actions."
http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/....ap/index.html