Under current law, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act shields gun manufacturers and dealers from most civil lawsuits related to the criminal misuse of their products. This bill would repeal that legal shield entirely, allowing victims of gun violence to sue firearms companies on the same basis they could sue any other industry. It would also open up the federal Firearms Trace System database — which tracks the history of guns recovered at crime scenes — for use as evidence in civil lawsuits, making it available through subpoenas and discovery.
Congressional Summary
Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act This bill removes limitations on the civil liability of gun manufacturers and the disclosure of gun trace data in civil actions. Specifically, the bill repeals the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which prohibits civil actions against a firearm or ammunition manufacturer, seller, importer, dealer, or trade association for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm. Additionally, the bill states that firearms trace data maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is not immune from legal process. Such data is subject to discovery; is admissible as evidence; and may be used, relied on, or disclosed in a civil action or administrative proceeding.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2025-06-04
- Date Added
- 2026-04-09