Gun makers lose problem to New York legislation permitting lawsuits in opposition to industry

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

Spencer Platt | Getty Images

A federal decide on Wednesday threw out a lawsuit by a group of gun producers, distributors and retailers challenging the constitutionality of a New York legislation that enables the state and people affected by gun violence to sue the business.

U.S. District Decide Mae D'Agostino in Albany rejected a request by the National Shooting Sports activities Basis and gun manufacturers, 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 faculty, the newest in a spate of mass shootings, prompting renewed calls by Democrats for tougher gun rules.

The Nationwide Capturing Sports Basis, a commerce group for the firearms trade, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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

The law allows firearm sellers, manufacturers and distributors to be sued by the state, cities or people for making a "public nuisance" that endangers the public's security and well being.

The gun business group argued the law wrongly imposes legal responsibility on firms working anyplace in the country that make, sell or market guns or ammunition which can be misused by criminals in New York.