New Bill Would Allow People, Cities to Sue Gunmakers, Sellers for Shooting Deaths

A new bill would allow local governments and private residents to sue gun manufacturers and gun stores for harm caused by their products.

AB 1594 would take advantage of a loophole in the federal law, which does not give gun makers and sellers immunity when state law is broken.

“We must make our communities safer. Almost every industry in the United States can be held liable for what their products do, but the gun industry is not held to the same standard. Financial repercussions may finally push them to be more responsible by improving their practices and adhering to California’s strict gun laws,” said Assemblymember Phil Ting, in a prepared statement.

The bill would allow people and governments to sue gun manufacturers or dealers for liability in shooting deaths or injuries.

Late last year, three people were fatally shot in Pasadena during an increase in gun violence.

Jamal Patterson was fatally shot in late October on Summit Avenue and died at Huntington hospital after being taken off life-support.

Patterson was wounded along with another 24-year-old man, but few details were available regarding the circumstances of the attack.

Iran Moreno was fatally shot just after 6 p.m. on Nov. 20 in the 900 block of North Raymond Avenue. According to police, the 13-year old boy was killed by a stray bullet while playing video games in his home.

The target and motive for the shooting remains unknown.

Just three days later, police shot and killed Devin Edward Hall, 24, of Inglewood. According to police, Hall fatally shot Pasadena resident Gevork Minissian, 70, just after 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 23 in the 600 block of Sunnyslope Avenue.

Hall exchanged gunfire with police before running to Sunnyslope Avenue, where he allegedly tried to steal a second car, and held the vehicle’s owner at gunpoint in the area of East Villa Street and North Sunnyslope Avenue.

When he fired at police, officers returned fire.

The suspect died in a driveway in the 500 block of North Sunnyslope Avenue at 2:46 p.m., according to Coroner’s spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani.

Pasadena police officers have confiscated hundreds of illegally owned firearms over the past two years.

The bill filed in the state Legislature declares gun manufacturers have created a public nuisance if their failure to follow state and local gun laws result in injury or death.

The threat of civil litigation aims to compel the gun industry to take every step possible to prevent illegal sales and theft to reduce gun violence.