Newtown families' lawsuit against gun maker dismissed
- by Erica Wilson
- in Local
- — Oct 15, 2016
Families of the victim had brought the civil suit in April 2015 against the manufacturer, distributor and seller of the AR-15 rifle used by Adam Lanza on December 14, 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.
Judge Barbara Bellis dismissed the case Yesterday in state court in Bridgeport, ruling the company is protected by a 2005 federal law that shields gun manufacturers from such lawsuits. Bellis argues in her decision there was no "negligent entrustment of a firearm".
But the families' attorneys argued the lawsuit was allowed under an exception in the federal law that allows litigation against companies that know, or should know, that their weapons are likely to be used in a way that risks injury to others, and the judge disagreed.
Bellis also ruled the plaintiffs did not establish a "consumer, competitor, or other commercial relationship" between themselves and Remington, and so could not sue under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA).
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"We will put on a fantastic event in 2019 for the world, for the United Kingdom and for [cycling's governing body] the UCI". Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said: "Today marks a moment in history".
Their attorney Josh Koskoff said the families are disappointed but are not ready to end the fight. "We will appeal this decision immediately and continue our work to help prevent the next Sandy Hook from happening", he said.
Twenty children and six adults were killed in the attack.
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy of CT, a prominent voice in the fight for gun control, tweeted: "Disappointed by decision to dismiss the lawsuit brought by #SandyHook families".
The lawsuit sought unspecified financial damages from Remington Arms, as well as firearms distributor Camfour Holding and gun store Riverview Sales, where the AR-15 rifle was purchased. Lanza killed 26 people, including 20 children. Lanza killed himself during the shooting. Bellis quotes Conyers' argument in which he said the bill "irresponsibly protects dealers who recklessly sell to gun traffickers" who will then resell the guns to criminals. According to authorities, his mother Nancy who was also killed by Adam, legally bought the rifle. The foundation organized marathons in which runners raised money for each of the 26 miles they ran, dedicating each mile to one of the 26 victims of the December 2012 shootings. In June, the US Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to the law.
