[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 137 (Tuesday, October 25, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               PROTECTION OF LAWFUL COMMERCE IN ARMS ACT

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                               speech of

                           HON. JOHN SULLIVAN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 20, 2005

  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of S. 397, the 
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
  I am an original cosponsor of the House version of this legislation 
because I do not believe that licensed gun manufacturers and merchants 
should be held legally responsible for the unlawful use of their lawful 
products. Continuing to allow these frivolous lawsuits could set a 
dangerous precedent for future lawsuits affecting many other industries 
across the nation. By passing this similar Senate bill, we will prevent 
state courts from bankrupting the national firearms industry and 
undermining all citizens' constitutional right to bear arms.
  Tort law rests upon a foundation of individual responsibility where a 
product may not be defined as defective unless there is something wrong 
with the product, rather than with the product's user. It is ridiculous 
to allow such lawsuits to clog our courtrooms and hinder those with 
valid claims from receiving justice.
  Today, this Congress has the opportunity to address unfounded 
lawsuits and guard a legal and law-abiding industry. We should pass 
this legislation to protect the rights of citizens who own and operate 
firearms in a legal manner, and to free up our courtrooms for those 
legitimately harmed by defective products.
  I urge my colleagues to vote for this sensible legislation and set a 
precedent of respect for an industry which has done nothing wrong. We 
should hold individuals responsible for their crime, not the product 
manufacturer.

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