Sniper Case Victims Aim at Gun Bill

Victims of the Washington-area snipers and some of the police who helped capture the suspected assailants teamed up Wednesday to lobby against legislation that would shield the gun industry from many lawsuits.

The House passed a bill to grant immunity to gun makers and dealers in April, and companion legislation has picked up considerable support in the Senate.

The influential National Rifle Assn. supports the bill, saying it will stop frivolous, politically motivated lawsuits against the gun industry.

But victims of gun violence said the bill would stop the negligence or product liability lawsuits they have filed against gun makers and dealers -- lawsuits judges have allowed to proceed.

Some who survived the snipers’ bullets and relatives of those killed by the gunmen gathered on Capitol Hill and vowed to stop the legislation.

Former Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose, who gained fame with his televised attempts to communicate with the snipers in October, said the bill makes no sense.

“These are real people. Please listen to what they have to say,” Moose said of the survivors and relatives of victims who were gunned down.

Vickie Snyder, whose brother James Buchanan was shot by the sniper as he mowed the lawn outside a car dealership, said her motivation for suing was to get irresponsible dealers to change their behavior so other families don’t have to endure the pain she has.

The NRA maintains that it is not fair to hold a gun seller or manufacturer responsible for what a criminal does.