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House Passes Gun Lawsuit Ban

May 14, 2003
By: Christopher Shields
State Capital Bureau

St. Louis City may be forced to end its lawsuit with gun makers.

Christopher Shields has more from the State Capitol.

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The house passed a bill banning the state, cities and counties from suing gunmakers.

The bill states that making firearms is not a dangerous activity.

Opponents say the bill prevents the state from stopping the sale and making of excessively dangerous weapons.

But supporters like Republican Representative Larry Crawford say the bill would end frivolous lawsuits against gunmakers.

Actuality:CRAW01.WAV
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OutCue: out of business
Contents: None of these lawsuits have prevailed, some of them have been dismissed as frivolous. But they have put eight gun manufacturers out of business.

Its now up to Governor Holden whether to sign or veto the measure.

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The House sent a measure to the Governor that would ban lawsuits against gun makers.

Christopher Shields has more from Jefferson City.

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The bill would prevent the state, counties and cities from suing gunmakers on the basis that making guns is dangerous.

Supporters say the measure will end frivolous lawsuits that could put gun makers out of business.

Opponents, like Jefferson County Democrat Rick Johnson say the bill prevents the state from temporarily halting the sale of firearms deemed possibly dangerous.

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OutCue: on a temporary basis
Contents: I don't think we should limit the attorney general's ability to protect the citizens of the state. Even on a temporary basis.

Governor Holden hasn't indicated whether he will sign or veto the bill.

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The state, city and local governments may have to give up suing gunmakers for being a public nuisance.

I'm Christopher Shields for Missouri Capitol Caucus.

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The house passed a bill to ban lawsuits against gun and ammunition manufacturers.

It would also end lawsuits currently in progress.

Opponents say the measure prevents the state from protecting citizens from excessively dangerous firearms.

But supporters like Mid-Missouri Representative Larry Crawford say suing gunmakers is the same as suing any other company.

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OutCue: I'm not healthy
Contents: If you look at my picture six years ago, my coat size was several sizes smaller. And I suppose that if I finnally reach to the point to where my health fails because I've eaten so many of McDonald's hamburgers somebody ought to tell McDonalds they ought to quit selling me all these big macs. Because I keep growing to the point I'm not healthy.

The bill now goes to the governor's desk.

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