Gun makers lose challenge to New York law allowing lawsuits in opposition to industry

Guns confiscated at New York City public schools are displayed at a news convention with Mayor Eric Adams at police headquarters to talk about guns in public schools in New York Metropolis on Might 25, 2022 in New York City.

Spencer Platt | Getty Photos

A federal choose on Wednesday threw out a lawsuit by a group of gun producers, distributors and retailers difficult the constitutionality of a New York law that allows the state and other people affected by gun violence to sue the trade.

U.S. District Choose Mae D'Agostino in Albany rejected a request by the National Capturing Sports Foundation and gun producers, together with Smith & Wesson and Sturm, Ruger & Co, to enjoin enforcement of the statute.

The ruling came a day after a gunman killed 19 children and two adults at a Texas elementary school, the most recent in a spate of mass shootings, prompting renewed calls by Democrats for tougher gun laws.

The Nationwide Taking pictures Sports activities Foundation, a trade group for the firearms business, didn't immediately reply to a request for comment.

Democratic former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo final July signed into regulation a measure that seeks to overcome legal hurdles that have largely shielded the business from lawsuits related to gun violence.

The law allows firearm sellers, manufacturers and distributors to be sued by the state, cities or individuals for making a "public nuisance" that endangers the general public's safety and health.

The gun business group argued the legislation wrongly imposes liability on corporations operating anyplace within the nation that make, sell or market weapons or ammunition which might be misused by criminals in New York.