Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, H.R. 1036, S. 659, S. 1805, and S. 1806, 108th Congress: Legal Analysis

Publication Date: November 2003

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Justice

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Abstract:

The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, H.R. 1036, 108th Congress, as passed by the House on April 9, 2003, would prohibit lawsuits, except in specified circumstances, against a manufacturer or seller of a firearm or ammunition, or a trade association, for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm or ammunition. A similar bill, S. 659, has been introduced in the Senate, and, except where indicated in a footnote, every statement in this report about H.R. 1036 also applies to S. 659. Subsequently, S. 659 was reintroduced in identical form as S. 1806, and in amended form as S. 1805, and, on November 3, 2003, S. 1805 and S. 1806 were placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar. The differences between S. 1805 and the other Senate bills are noted at the end of this report.