A Connecticut judge on Friday dismissed the wrongful death lawsuit by Newtown families against the manufacturer, distributor and seller of the Bushmaster AR-15-style rifle used in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in December 2012.
State Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis granted the Remington Arms gun company’s motion to strike the lawsuit. Bellis ruled under the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, gun producers are protected from being held responsible if their firearms are used by consumers for criminal purposes.
“While the families are obviously disappointed with the judge’s decision, this is not the end of the fight. We will appeal this decision immediately and continue our work to help prevent the next Sandy Hook from happening,” Josh Koskoff from Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder, one of the lawyers representing the families, told the Washington Examiner.
The families of nine children and adults of the total 26 people killed had come together to hold Remington accountable for selling a weapon designed for military use despite the 2005 legislation shielding companies.
The group can ask the judge to reconsider her ruling or file an amended lawsuit. In addition to Remington, firearms distributor Camfour and Riverview Gun Sales, where the assailant, Adam Lanza, purchased the rifle, was also cleared.
