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Connecticut Court Denies Gun Appeal
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
Connecticut Court Denies Gun AppealMonday, October 01, 2001 11:37 p.m. EDT E-mail or Print this story - - - - - BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) - The city of Bridgeport has no legal standing to pursue a lawsuit against weapons manufacturers to recover the costs of gun-related violence, the state Supreme Court ruled Monday.Joining courts in other states, Connecticut's high court said Bridgeport had not suffered such direct losses from gun violence that it was legally able to pursue its case.Bridgeport officials, like leaders in some 30 communities nationwide, had claimed financial losses as a result of violence involving firearms. Bridgeport, Connecticut's largest and poorest city, pegged its costs at $100 million, including police overtime and medical costs.The lawsuit alleged that the gun makers violated product liability laws, the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act and public nuisance laws. It also contended that gun makers have not done enough to make firearms safe and failed to prevent their products from getting into the hands of criminals.The lawsuit was rejected in December 1999 by Superior Court Judge Robert F. McWeeny. The judge sided with gun makers, who argued that the city could not sue because it had not suffered any direct injuries.Bridgeport asked the state Supreme Court to reinstate the case. But the high court said Monday none of the city's arguments withstood judicial scrutiny.FROM THE LYCOS NETWORK:Lycos Finance Stock ChartsNews Message BoardsNews Chat RoomsTech Business News Bridgeport was one of 29 cities and counties suing more than two dozen gun makers. The suits have had mixed results, with a judge allowing Atlanta's suit to proceed, but two lower courts dismissing Cincinnati's.The Ohio Supreme Court was to hear the Cincinnati case Tuesday.Bridgeport's suit named as defendants Smith & Wesson and Sturm, Ruger and Co. Inc., among others.Copyright c 2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. http://news.lycos.com/news/story.asp?section=Breaking&storyId=253663