http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/gunsuit990721.html
Gunmakers Seek to Avoid Suit
Three Companies Negotiate with N.Y. Attorney General
By Jesse J. Holland
The Associated Press
A L B A N Y, NY., July 21 — Three major gun makers are in negotiations with New York state’s attorney general to avoid being named in a lawsuit he plans to file.
The talks involve Colt’s Manufacturing of Hartford, Conn., Smith & Wesson Corp. of Springfield, Mass., and Sturm, Ruger & Co. of Southport, Conn., a source told The Associated Press.
The negotiations with Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, which were first reported in today’s editions of The New York Times, followed the attorney general’s accusation that the gun industry’s marketing has been irresponsible, allowing firearms to fall into the hands of criminals.
New York would be the first state to sue gun manufacturers, though 23 cities and counties across the country already have done so.
Consessions for Immunity
The negotiations focus on whether the companies will agree to concessions, including better supervision of the marketing and sales practices for their guns. In exchange, Spitzer would exclude the companies from the planned lawsuit.
Spitzer is seeking participation in a system that would give bullets fired during the testing of new guns to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The distinctive markings left on fired bullets can be used to identify the guns used to fire them, a useful tool for law enforcement agents.
Spitzer also is asking the companies to make undetermined payments to the Crime Victims Board, a state panel providing monetary compensation to victims of crimes.
The Times reported other talks are under way between Spitzer and Robert Delfay, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the largest gun industry trade association, to establish a code of conduct. Delfay would neither confirm nor deny having met with Spitzer.
Spitzer said he could not comment on any matter that might be the subject of litigation.
“As part of an ongoing effort to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, we have sought a dialogue with the industry,” Spitzer spokesman Darren Dopp would only say.
‘Not Opposed to Such Talks’
Smith & Wesson spokesman Ken Jorgensen said he did not know about any negotiations, while Steve Sanetti, vice president of Sturm, Ruger & Co., did not immediately return a message.
A consultant to Colt’s, Richard Esposito, said the company was not opposed to such talks but would not discuss them publicly.
Colt’s was among several companies found liable this year for negligence in a Brooklyn lawsuit on behalf of three people shot with stolen guns.
Gunmakers Seek to Avoid Suit
Three Companies Negotiate with N.Y. Attorney General
By Jesse J. Holland
The Associated Press
A L B A N Y, NY., July 21 — Three major gun makers are in negotiations with New York state’s attorney general to avoid being named in a lawsuit he plans to file.
The talks involve Colt’s Manufacturing of Hartford, Conn., Smith & Wesson Corp. of Springfield, Mass., and Sturm, Ruger & Co. of Southport, Conn., a source told The Associated Press.
The negotiations with Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, which were first reported in today’s editions of The New York Times, followed the attorney general’s accusation that the gun industry’s marketing has been irresponsible, allowing firearms to fall into the hands of criminals.
New York would be the first state to sue gun manufacturers, though 23 cities and counties across the country already have done so.
Consessions for Immunity
The negotiations focus on whether the companies will agree to concessions, including better supervision of the marketing and sales practices for their guns. In exchange, Spitzer would exclude the companies from the planned lawsuit.
Spitzer is seeking participation in a system that would give bullets fired during the testing of new guns to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The distinctive markings left on fired bullets can be used to identify the guns used to fire them, a useful tool for law enforcement agents.
Spitzer also is asking the companies to make undetermined payments to the Crime Victims Board, a state panel providing monetary compensation to victims of crimes.
The Times reported other talks are under way between Spitzer and Robert Delfay, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the largest gun industry trade association, to establish a code of conduct. Delfay would neither confirm nor deny having met with Spitzer.
Spitzer said he could not comment on any matter that might be the subject of litigation.
“As part of an ongoing effort to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, we have sought a dialogue with the industry,” Spitzer spokesman Darren Dopp would only say.
‘Not Opposed to Such Talks’
Smith & Wesson spokesman Ken Jorgensen said he did not know about any negotiations, while Steve Sanetti, vice president of Sturm, Ruger & Co., did not immediately return a message.
A consultant to Colt’s, Richard Esposito, said the company was not opposed to such talks but would not discuss them publicly.
Colt’s was among several companies found liable this year for negligence in a Brooklyn lawsuit on behalf of three people shot with stolen guns.