The Massachusetts Legislature opened their 194th session last month. As we review gun safety bills to prioritize this current session, we consider Industry Accountability.
Why Firearm Industry Accountability?
In Massachusetts, the Attorney General's regulations on handgun sales are part of the state's consumer protection law, directed at keeping consumers safe from dangerous handguns. These rules mandate that all handguns sold must have specific safety features and child-proofing measures, along with safety warnings.
However, this is different from an Industry Accountability law. Such a law allows individuals, and local governments to take legal action against gun manufacturers and sellers for harm caused by their products beyond safety and child-proofing requirements. Guns are also the only consumer product manufactured in the United States that are not subject to federal health and safety regulation; often referred to as immunity.
Since 2021, several states have successfully passed laws to give victims and the public more power to file civil lawsuits against the firearm industry for unlawful actions. These states include California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington. Read more about Industry Accountability here.
Massachusetts bills filed: An Act Relative to Firearm Industry Accountability HD.948 filed by Rep. Moran and SD.1023 filed by Sen. Creem.
