New Orleans Files Gun Suit; L.A. Mulls Action

In a case that may serve as a model for a surge of litigation by U.S. cities, New Orleans on Friday sued 15 gun manufacturers, accusing them of failing to incorporate safety features to prevent their guns from being fired by unauthorized people--including curious youngsters, suicidal teens and criminals.

The case targets the industry for failing to produce childproof, “personalized” weapons that critics say could prevent thousands of suicides, homicides and accidental deaths.

The complaint seeks reimbursement and punitive damages incurred by the city for police, ambulance service and medical care allegedly resulting from the gun makers’ negligence.

In Los Angeles, an aide said staff lawyers for City Atty. James K. Hahn have been researching a possible gun lawsuit. City Councilman Michael Feuer on Friday introduced a resolution asking Hahn to consult with county officials about a collaborative effort.

Bruce Jennings, whose family owns Bryco Arms of Costa Mesa, one of five Southern California gun makers named in the New Orleans complaint, said the industry will be forced to spend heavily “to defend a lot of lawsuits in a lot of cities,” but predicted victory. He said guns pose “an obvious and known danger,” and manufacturers are not responsible for their misuse.

Citing an estimate that 1.2 million young latchkey children have access to guns in their homes, the complaint says the industry could easily foresee “that guns would fall into the hands of unintended users.”

Several major gun makers in recent months began shipping their weapons with trigger safety locks. Dennis Henigan of the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence called this a step in the right direction but no substitute for personalizing weapons.

Colt Manufacturing Co., the fourth-largest U.S. gun maker and a defendant in the suit, has been working to develop a childproof technology in which a gun could not fire unless signaled by a computer chip in a bracelet or ring worn by the owner. Colt has come under attacks from elements of the industry and the gun rights movement, who see the effort as an indictment of existing weapons.