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

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

Spencer Platt | Getty Photographs

A federal judge on Wednesday threw out a lawsuit by a gaggle of gun manufacturers, distributors and retailers challenging the constitutionality of a New York law that permits the state and other people affected by gun violence to sue the business.

U.S. District Judge Mae D'Agostino in Albany rejected a request by the National Capturing Sports activities Foundation and gun manufacturers, together with Smith & Wesson and Sturm, Ruger & Co, to enjoin enforcement of the statute.

The ruling came a day after a gunman killed 19 youngsters and two adults at a Texas elementary faculty, the most recent in a spate of mass shootings, prompting renewed calls by Democrats for tougher gun rules.

The National Shooting Sports activities Foundation, a trade group for the firearms industry, didn't instantly respond to a request for comment.

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

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

The gun trade group argued the regulation wrongly imposes legal responsibility on corporations working anywhere in the country that make, promote or market guns or ammunition which can be misused by criminals in New York.