Gov. Bush signs bill protecting gun makers from civil suits

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Gov. Bush signs bill protecting gun makers from civil suits TALLAHASSEE -- Florida became the 26th state to restrict lawsuits against gun makers Tuesday when Gov. Jeb Bush signed into law a measure preventing local governments from suing manufacturers for gun-related injuries and deaths.Flanked by state lawmakers and a past president of the National Rifle Association, Bush said the law would protect companies that manufacture legal products from taxpayer-financed lawsuits.``This is not a question of local control or state control or federal control. This is a question of whether it is appropriate for municipalities to sue for political purposes,'' said Bush, brother of President Bush.``My answer is that there are ways to deal with the use of guns without suing the manufacturers.'' The law, which takes effect immediately, still allows individuals to sue gun makers.Former NRA president Marion Hammer hailed the new law, saying it will protect the industry from what she called ''frivolous lawsuits'' filed by local governments attempting to force the firearms industry to limit the marketing and sale of guns. Hammer said more than 30 such lawsuits have been filed. Many are still pending.``The plaintiffs don't bring these lawsuits to win, they file the lawsuits to drain the industry and force them into bankruptcy if they won't cave in and give (local governments) self-imposed gun control,'' Hammer said.In 1999, Florida's Miami-Dade County filed suit against gun makers, arguing manufacturers marketed and sold weapons without safety features that would prevent their unauthorized firing. A Florida circuit court judge threw out the case.Earlier this year, a Florida appellate court upheld that ruling. The case is now pending before Florida Supreme Court. Copyright c 2001, South Florida Sun-Sentinel http://www.sunsentinal.com/news/legislature/sfl-51bushgun.story?coll=sfla-news-legislature

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Gov. Bush signs bill protecting gun makers from civil suitsReuters Email this story to a friend Printer friendly versionMORE HEADLINES Afghan forces claim control of bin Laden cave WTMI says its dropping its classical format on Dec. 31 Stocks close higher after late rally Cops continue to hunt third man in Hallandale bank robbery Painting plundered by Nazis on display at Vizcaya in Miami TALLAHASSEE -- Florida became the 26th state to restrict lawsuits against gun makers Tuesday when Gov. Jeb Bush signed into law a measure preventing local governments from suing manufacturers for gun-related injuries and deaths.Flanked by state lawmakers and a past president of the National Rifle Association, Bush said the law would protect companies that manufacture legal products from taxpayer-financed lawsuits.``This is not a question of local control or state control or federal control. This is a question of whether it is appropriate for municipalities to sue for political purposes,'' said Bush, brother of President Bush.``My answer is that there are ways to deal with the use of guns without suing the manufacturers.'' The law, which takes effect immediately, still allows individuals to sue gun makers.Former NRA president Marion Hammer hailed the new law, saying it will protect the industry from what she called ''frivolous lawsuits'' filed by local governments attempting to force the firearms industry to limit the marketing and sale of guns. Hammer said more than 30 such lawsuits have been filed. Many are still pending.``The plaintiffs don't bring these lawsuits to win, they file the lawsuits to drain the industry and force them into bankruptcy if they won't cave in and give (local governments) self-imposed gun control,'' Hammer said.In 1999, Florida's Miami-Dade County filed suit against gun makers, arguing manufacturers marketed and sold weapons without safety features that would prevent their unauthorized firing. A Florida circuit court judge threw out the case.Earlier this year, a Florida appellate court upheld that ruling. The case is now pending before Florida Supreme Court. Copyright c 2001, South Florida Sun-Sentinel http://www.sunsentinal.com/news/legislature/sfl-51bushgun.story