MADISON, Wis. — In response to President Biden’s renewed push to restrict the 2nd Amendment in his State of the Union address, Senator Julian Bradley, R–Franklin, on Wednesday called on Governor Evers to sign civil liability protection for lawful gun manufacturers.

“I call on Governor Evers to sign protections for lawful gun manufacturers into state law and ignore President Biden’s radical call to attack 2nd Amendment rights,” Senator Bradley said. “Activist judges shouldn’t be able to put Wisconsin gun manufacturers out of business just because someone commits a crime with their legally-made product. When a criminal commits a crime, it’s their fault, not the gun’s — that’s pure common sense.”

Senate Bill 570, co-authored by Representative Gae Magnafici, R–Dresser, has passed both the Senate and Assembly and now heads to Governor Evers’ desk. This bill enshrines the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act into state law.

The current federal law passed with broad bipartisan support from Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation, including Senator Herb Kohl, Representative Ron Kind, and Representative Dave Obey.

BACKGROUND

White House, Remarks of President Joe Biden – State of the Union Address As Prepared for Delivery, March 1, 2022

“I ask Congress to… repeal the liability shield that makes gun manufacturers the only industry in America that can’t be sued.”

AP Fact Check: Biden’s State of Union is off on guns, March 1, 2022

“THE FACTS: That’s false. While gun manufacturers do have legal protections from being held liable for injuries caused by criminal misuse of their weapons thanks to the 2005 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, they are not exempt or immune from being sued.

“The law lays out exceptions where manufacturers or dealers can be held liable for damages their weapons cause, such as defects or damages in the design of the gun, negligence, or breach of contract or warranty regarding the purchase of a gun.”

Congressmen Kind and Obey House Vote on the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, October 20, 2005

Senator Kohl Senate Vote on the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, July 29, 2005

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