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Tennessee has been wooing firearms industry manufacturing for years now. Several smaller operations are located here along with Baretta. Some of this bill can is attributed to direct lobbying efforts by a small group of vocal firearms advocates in Tennessee.

This might seem like a small win, but the pro-gun crowd should push for similar legislation in their own states. The controllers have openly stated a desire to destroy the firearms industry through civil liability.

Members of the Tennessee state Senate voted on Tuesday in favor of a bill that would protect gun and ammunition manufacturers and sellers from civil liability when their products are used to commit crimes.

The Republican-controlled Tennessee Senate passed HB 1189 by a vote of 19 to 9 on Tuesday, after the Republican-controlled House voted 71-24 in favor of the bill on March 6. The legislation now goes to Republican Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for final passage.

The legislation states a firearms industry dealer, manufacturer, or seller cannot be held liable in a civil lawsuit in the state unless they accompanied a person in committing the underlying crime for which the lawsuit was brought or unless they sold a firearm product that was defective.

The law states that if a defective firearm product discharges in the course of a voluntary criminal offense, then that voluntary act must be considered the sole proximate cause of the property damage, injury, or death for which civil liability arises, thus excluding the firearm industry member from liability in that case.

In 2005, the U.S. Congress passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), which generally protects firearm industry members from civil liability over the criminal misuse of their products. Some states and localities have explored ways in which firearm industry members can be held liable outside the existing protections of the PLCAA.

California and New Jersey have passed legislation that allows the Attorney General to pursue civil action against firearms manufacturers. Wouldn’t it be nice if the right had the same disregard for all federal law that violates the Constitution (nullification) as the left does for the law of God?

[…]

Sen. Art Swann of Maryville was one of three Republicans who opposed the legislation providing added civil liability protections for the firearms industry.

This part is attention-grabbing. I wonder if the people of Maryville know they have a traitor in their midst; I suspect so. It’s an unusual vote; he’s been friendly to Tennessee business interests. I’m sure that as a result of this, he will now be avoiding some venues and refusing certain invitations for a visit. Controllers are always cowards. I have not met him. An aggravating factor is that Maryville has a very suitable and experienced manufacturing and light industry workforce for the firearms industry. Seeing this, I suspect no firearms companies would want to relocate there. Swann may be killing potential future jobs in his district.

Swann said “gun-makers have encouraged the environment we’ve got right now,” adding, “they’re accountable for it, and we need to hold them to it.”