The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a challenge from the gun industry to a New York law that allows firearms makers to be sued when harm is caused by third parties.
Without comment, the justices refused to hear the challenge brought by National Shooting Sports Foundation, a firearms trade group.
They were supported in its appeal by about a half-dozen gun makers.
New York’s law allows dealers and gun makers to be sued under a public nuisance law for endangering public safety.
Four justices would have needed to vote in favor of weighing the challenge for oral arguments to be scheduled for the court’s next term which begins in October.
The gun manufacturing trade group argued the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act supersedes state law. That federal law shields gun makers from being sued civilly for crimes committed by third parties.
But the appeals court disagreed, siding with New York.
Previously the justices ruled last year that foreign countries, such as Mexico, couldn’t sue U.S. gun makers in American courts for crimes committed by drug cartel using their firearms.
Contact the author
Please read our comment policy before commenting.