Bill restricting gun suits goes to Guinn

Scott Reeder

Tuesday, May 18, 1999 | 12:18 p.m.

CARSON CITY -- Local governments in Nevada will not be able to sue firearms manufacturers over gun violence in their cities.

At least that will be the case if Gov. Kenny Guinn signs a measure passed by the Senate Monday.

Assembly Bill 543 prohibits Nevada municipalities from taking actions similar to those taken in other cities across the nation, Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas, said.

"We think that it would be more appropriate if there is to be litigation in this matter for it to come from the state rather than a hodgepodge of local governments," he said.

But critics of the bill contend its purpose is nothing more than to protect gun makers from lawsuits.

"If you have a firearm that malfunctions and causes you to go blind, you cannot take a legal action under this measure," Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, said. "This bill is not necessary. It reflects an unworthiness in this body for it even to be considered."

But James disagrees.

"This bill only deals with local governments. It does not deal with individuals. Individuals can still sue manufacturers if they believe something was made improperly," he said.

James added: "I wouldn't try to assign motives in why people are saying these things about the bill. But obviously some people have not read it."

The bill passed the Senate on an 11-9 vote.

James, a possible candidate against Rep. Shelley Berkley, D.-Nev., said he does not keep any firearms in his own home.

"This isn't about me. I choose not to have guns. Other people want them for protection. That is their right," he said.

Sen. Terry Care, D-Las Vegas, evoked the bloody images of the high school shootings in Littleton, Colo., in expressing his opposition to the bill. He added that if Colorado had a law similar to this bill, families of victims could not sue.

But James said that isn't true.

"Some people just don't want to accept it. But gun manufacturers had nothing to do with what happened in Littleton. It is the responsibility of the people who were using the guns," he said.