Bridgeport Mayor: Appeal Of Gun Lawsuit Decision Unlikely

Josey1

Bridgeport Mayor: Appeal Of Gun Lawsuit Decision Unlikely Associated Press October 09, 2001 BRIDGEPORT Conn. (AP) - An appeal of the city's lawsuit against gun makers is unlikely after the U.S. Supreme Court refused Tuesday to be drawn into a dispute over whether cities can sue gun manufacturers for crime costs. Mayor Joseph Ganim weighed an appeal of a state Supreme Court ruling that Bridgeport did not suffer such direct losses from gun violence that it could pursue its case.Following the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, an appeal is doubtful, he said."That's probably not a likely route for us," Ganim said. "It's not likely we're in a very strong position."The U.S. Supreme Court declined without comment to review a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling upholding that state's prohibition on lawsuits against gunmakers. The refusal may end municipal efforts to sue gun makers despite state bans.Bridgeport's lawsuit was rejected by the Connecticut Supreme Court Oct. 1.Ganim refused to declare the lawsuit dead, saying he continued to consult lawyers. He said other gun lawsuits are pending around the country.He also said he will speak to state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal who supported Bridgeport's case. Blumenthal said after the state Supreme Court ruling that cities could sue on behalf of residents who have suffered from gun violence.The gun litigation began after states sued tobacco companies to recover state money spent on smoking-related illnesses. New Orleans filed its lawsuit in 1998 and was copied by dozens of cities and counties around the nation.The lawsuits sought to force manufacturers to repay hundreds of millions of dollars to local governments treating the effects of gun violence. State laws made many of the lawsuits moot. AP-ES-10-09-01 1200EDT http://www.ctnow.com/scripts/editorial.dll?bfromind=1617&eeid=5412760&eetype=article&render=y&ck=&ver=3.0