Tobacco, Fatty Foods, Now Firearms? Time to End the Farce.

Unable to ban guns or raise taxes by democratic vote, cities, anti-gun groups, and trial lawyers team up to bankrupt gun manufacturers and raise revenue.

WASHINGTON – The House is expected to vote today on a bill introduced by Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), H.R. 1036, that would end frivolous lawsuits against gun manufacturers. Americans for Tax Reform strongly supports the bill because it defends Second Amendment rights and because it is strongly in the interest of taxpayers.

Over the last few years, anti-gun activists, unable to achieve victories through the democratic process, have looked for new ways to undermine Americans\’ right to keep and bear arms. They have teamed up with cash-starved municipalities and with always-greedy trial lawyers – fresh off their lucrative victory against tobacco companies – to try to sue firearms manufacturers out of existence. To date, at least 30 local governments have filed such suits.

"It is the ultimate symbiotic, parasitic relationship," said taxpayer advocate Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. "Anti-gun groups are desperate to score any blows against law-abiding gun owners, local governments are desperate for new sources of revenue, and trial lawyers are salivating at the huge fees they can pile on top of their tobacco winnings. Together, they hope to feed off yet another industry until they consume it entirely."

These expensive lawsuits filed by municipalities are generally thrown out of court, but not before inflicting grave financial burdens on gun manufacturers. Even failed lawsuits achieve the aims of anti-gun groups, and if a few of the suit are successful, cities and trial lawyers will receive a windfall.

"These expensive lawsuits waste taxpayers\’ money, since they are so frivolous they are thown out of court," continued Norquist. "They cripple lawful companies, endangering the jobs of thousands of hard-working families. They seek to swell the coffers of municipalities, funding the further expansion of government. And they endanger all Americans\’ fundamental Constitutional rights. I urge the Congress to pass this bill promptly."