Sandy Hook shooting victims’ families to proceed in firearms industry lawsuit is allowed by Connecticut Supreme Court
By Staff Reporter | Mar 19, 2019 11:50 AM EDT
In a 4-3 decision, the Connecticut Supreme Court on Thursday reversed a lower court decision to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the families of victims from the 2012 Sandy Hook elementary school shooting to sue firearms manufacturers.
The plaintiffs allege that gun manufacturer Remington marketed its Bushmaster AR-15-style weapon for illegal and offensive purposes that violated the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA). Finding that firearms advertising fell under the state statute would allow for a workaround of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), which currently limits a citizen's ability to sue gun manufacturers and sellers.