Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025
Congress Proposes Bill to Allow Lawsuits Against Gun Manufacturers and Sellers
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill would repeal a 2005 law that currently protects gun manufacturers and dealers from most lawsuits. Right now, these businesses generally cannot be sued if a gun they made or sold is used to commit a crime.
- If passed, victims of gun violence and their families would be able to sue gun companies in civil court. They could argue that a company’s marketing or sales practices were irresponsible and contributed to a specific shooting or crime.
- The bill also makes gun trace data available for use in court. This is information kept by the government that tracks a gun from the factory to the first store that sold it, which can help lawyers prove how a weapon ended up in the wrong hands.
- Supporters say this change would hold the gun industry accountable for public safety, similar to how car or tobacco companies can be sued. Opponents often argue that businesses should not be blamed for the illegal actions of people who use their products.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
Small gun shops and firearms dealers would lose the legal shield that currently protects them from most civil lawsuits related to crimes committed with guns they sold. Even if they followed all the rules, they could face expensive lawsuits. The cost of legal defense and higher insurance premiums could be devastating for small dealers who don't have the resources of large manufacturers.
Activities
Milestones
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
3 articles
Rep. Crow proposes Equal Access to Justice Act for gun violence victims
Rep. Jason Crow reintroduced the Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act, which would repeal the 2005 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). The bill aims to hold the gun industry accountable for negligence and disregard for public safety in civil court.
Schiff calls for more accountability from gun industry
U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff joined colleagues to introduce the bicameral Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act. The legislation seeks to ensure victims can sue negligent gun companies and sellers, removing the unique legal liability shield the industry has enjoyed since 2005.
Congress shielded gun companies from lawsuits. Some blue states think they've found a loophole
Two decades after Congress granted gun manufacturers immunity, Democratic-led states are passing laws to penetrate that shield. These efforts mirror federal legislation like the Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act, which targets industry marketing and sales practices.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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