This week marks 20 years since the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) became law. Signed by President George W. Bush on October 26, 2005, the bipartisan measure shields firearm manufacturers and dealers from frivolous lawsuits attempting to hold them liable for crimes committed by third parties.
Two Decades of Legal Protection for the Firearms Industry
The NSSF, the firearm industry’s trade association, says the PLCAA remains essential to preserving both the industry’s survival and the Second Amendment itself.
“Americans cannot exercise their God-given right to purchase, possess and use firearms without a strong and present industry that provides the means to acquire those firearms,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel, in a press release obtained by GunsAmerica.
A Common-Sense Legal Shield
At its core, the PLCAA reaffirmed a bedrock principle of American law — that lawful businesses aren’t responsible for the criminal acts of others. As NSSF puts it, gun makers are no more liable for a shooting than Ford is for a drunk-driving crash or a knife company for a stabbing.
Congress passed the PLCAA after seeing anti-gun politicians and activists try to bankrupt the firearm industry through civil lawsuits, calling the effort an attempt to “circumvent the Legislative branch.”
Ongoing Legal Battles
Even two decades later, the PLCAA remains under attack. States like New York have passed “public nuisance” laws to sidestep Congress’s intent and reopen the door to litigation.
Keane warned that such efforts “defy the will of Congress” and could undermine the stability of a critical American industry that employs more than 400,000 workers nationwide.
“The PLCAA has ensured that this Constitutional right has not been bankrupted out of existence by gun control activists,” Keane added.
Defending the Law That Defends Freedom
As the NSSF celebrates the law’s 20-year milestone, it’s also doubling down on vigilance. Gun-control advocates continue to spread the false claim that the industry enjoys “immunity from liability,” when in reality, the PLCAA simply prevents abuse of the courts.
Two decades later, the PLCAA stands as a cornerstone of the modern 2A landscape, ensuring law-abiding Americans retain access to firearms and the companies that make them.
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