John Cornyn Seeks to Strengthen Protections for Firearms Industry

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R) has introduced the Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts (SHOT) Act, legislation aimed at strengthening legal protections for firearm manufacturers and dealers against what supporters describe as frivolous lawsuits brought by anti-gun activists and organizations.

What is the SHOT Act?

Sen. Cornyn, joined by 15 Senate Republican colleagues, introduced the SHOT Act to bolster the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), a federal law enacted in 2005 to shield firearm manufacturers and sellers from liability for crimes committed by third parties using their products.

Supporters of the legislation argue that anti-gun organizations, plaintiffs' attorneys, and some courts have increasingly sought to weaken those protections through litigation targeting the firearms industry.

Why do supporters say the bill is needed?

Cornyn said the legislation would help preserve Second Amendment rights by preventing lawsuits designed to financially burden lawful firearm businesses.

What Cornyn is saying

Sen. John Cornyn: "I am a proud supporter of the PLCAA, which protects our firearms industry from the constant onslaught of frivolous attacks by the Radical Left, progressive officials, and rogue activist judges."

Sen. Cornyn continued: "This legislation would strengthen the PLCAA to ensure it can continue to defend law-abiding Americans' Second Amendment rights against anti-gun groups' evolving tactics."

Several Republican senators, including Lindsey Graham, Marsha Blackburn, Ted Budd, and Chuck Grassley, also voiced support for the measure, arguing that firearm manufacturers should not be held liable for criminal acts committed by others.

What would the legislation do?

The SHOT Act would establish a standardized process for dismissing lawsuits covered by PLCAA protections, allowing prevailing defendants to recover attorneys' fees and court costs, create a right to immediate appeal when immunity claims are denied, and clarify that foreign governments cannot bring certain civil liability actions against firearms manufacturers in U.S. courts.

The Bottom Line

Supporters say the SHOT Act would strengthen federal protections for the firearms industry and deter costly litigation targeting gun manufacturers and sellers. The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration, while a companion measure has been introduced in the House.