The Supreme Court has declined to stop a lawsuit brought by the families of the victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre against gun maker Remington, CNN reported. Remington had sought to block the lawsuit, but the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled it would allow the suit to proceed, and the federal body refused to hear the gun maker's appeal on the matter.
Getty Images | Connecticut State Police
Sandy Hook Parents Now Allowed To Sue Remington Over Their Kids' Deaths
A 2005 law prevents firearms manufacturers from being prosecuted for the use of their products in criminal acts.
However, there are exceptions to the law, including one that allows lawsuits when a gun maker or seller knowingly violates state or federal laws concerning the marketing or sale of weapons.
That's where the key distinction can be found, according to the Sandy Hook families.
Flickr | jwinfred
The lawsuit alleges that Remington, who manufactured the Bushmaster rifle the Sandy Hook shooter used in the massacre that claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults, marketed the rifle as a "military weapon" that was "engineered to deliver maximum carnage."
The lawyers for the Sandy Hook families argue that advertising a military-style weapon for civilians is a deceptive marketing practice, in violation of Connecticut state law.
Bushmaster
According to legal briefs, the families say that Remington "published promotional materials that promised 'military-proven performance' for a 'mission-adaptable' shooter in need of the 'ultimate combat weapons system.'"
They also cited an ad for the Bushmaster saying, "Forces of opposition, bow down. You are single-handedly outnumbered."
So, gun control advocates, gun manufacturers, and gun rights supporters are all closely following this case.
Gun violence victims to pursuing this avenue when seeking liability in other cases could have huge ramifications on the industry. Other lawsuits brought against gun-makers in the wake of mass shootings, including the 2012 Colorado movie theater shooting, have been dismissed due to the 2005 law. As Politico reported, the NRA, 22 Republicans in Congress, and 10 Republican-led states all pushed for the Supreme Court to take up Remington's cause in the Sandy Hook case.
The Supreme Court did not comment on its decision to decline the case.
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