IN A BROOKLYN FEDERAL COURT yesterday the defense wrapped up its case in a lawsuit brought by the NAACP against Smith & Wesson, Glock, and dozens of other players in the firearm industry. Cherry-picking statistics from a confidential ATF “trace” database obtained by subpoena, the NAACP argued that by failing to track their products after release into the flow of commerce, gun manufacturers are responsible for high numbers of firearm-related deaths in black communities.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the firearms industry’s trade association, has been tracking the case closely. An excellent blow-by-blow of the trial is available on their website.