Congress·In Committee·H.R. 3740

Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025

Congress Proposes Bill to Allow Lawsuits Against Gun Manufacturers and Sellers

10 months ago·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

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Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

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.

Gun PolicyCriminal JusticeCivil Rights

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Jun 4, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Jun 4, 2025

Introduced in House

Related News

3 articles

Sentinel Colorado·10 months ago

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.

Beverly Press·9 months ago

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.

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The Independent·5 months ago

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.