Washington, D.C., Sues Gun Industry

The nation’s capital became the 30th U.S. locality to sue the gun industry, seeking to stem the flow of illegal weapons into the city and to win compensation for health care and other costs. The suit against 23 gun makers and two distributors relies on a 1990 Washington law against certain assault weapons and “machine guns.” Although the city has prohibited unregistered firearms and banned the registration of all handguns since 1976, the suit, filed in D.C. Superior Court, charges the defendants with aiding circumvention of the law. The city seeks unspecified damages for health-care treatment and compensation provided to emergency workers, as well as punitive damages.