Posted by Jim on February 09, 1999 at 22:33:14:
In Reply to: Update. GA Senate passes anti-Atlanta lawsuit Bill!!! posted by Walter on February 09, 1999 at 12:52:22:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 8, 1999
GEORGIA SENATE PASSES H.B. 189
First of its kind legislation protecting lawful commerce
and gun owners' rights seen as model for the nation.
(WASHINGTON, DC) -- The Georgia State Senate passed H.B. 189
today with an overwhelming majority (44-11). This legislation
will protect lawful commerce and the rights of gun owners in
Georgia by blocking frivolous local lawsuits against the firearm
industry.
NRA chief lobbyist James J. Baker commented, "Passage of this
bill once again reaffirms that the American people and their
elected representatives recognize the fact that firearms are
unique among consumer products."
H.B. 189 will extend the statute requiring uniform firearm laws
throughout the state to include lawsuits against the firearm
industry. The ability to bring government sponsored lawsuits
against gun manufacturers will be reserved solely to the state
government.
"No other consumer product is protected by the U.S. Constitution
and forty-four state constitutions, including Georgia's, and,
therefore, the proper places for the debate over the right to
bears arms are the U.S. Congress and state legislatures," said
Baker.
"We believe the lawsuits being brought against the gun industry
by certain big cities are frivolous and without merit. However,
we recognize, if left unchecked, that the burden of simply
defending against them until they can be dismissed could have a
real impact on the ability of Americans to lawfully acquire
firearms for recreation and self-defense. NRA will be working
with legislators nationwide to spread this ground breaking
legislation and the protection it provides."
H.B. 189 now returns to Georgia's House of Representatives for
its consideration of slight technical changes made by the Senate.
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This information is provided as a service of the National Rifle
Association Institute for Legislative Action, Fairfax, VA.
This and other information on the Second Amendment and the NRA is
available at: http://WWW.NRA.Org