HARTFORD – Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced today that 16 states have formed a multi-state coalition to hold members of the firearms industry accountable for their role in fueling gun violence. The coalition, the first of its kind, aims to reduce gun violence through coordinated enforcement of state civil liability and consumer protection laws.
The initiative will leverage state laws to promote public safety and hold manufacturers, distributors, and sellers accountable for unlawful practices that contribute to gun violence.
“Connecticut has some of the strongest gun violence prevention laws in the nation, and our state and local police are an effective and aggressive force in keeping our communities safe,” Tong said. “Today, we are launching a groundbreaking multistate campaign to step up our enforcement and harness the power of our civil statutes to hold bad actors in the firearms industry accountable for dangerous misconduct. I’m committed to using every ounce of my authority to keep Connecticut families safe.”
As the coalition’s first action, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed lawsuits in their respective state courts against gunmaker Glock. The lawsuits claim that Glock handguns can easily be modified into illegal machine guns by attaching a component known as a “Glock switch.” This device allows the guns to fire automatically, bypassing federal regulations that prohibit such modifications.
The 16 states involved in the coalition share the goal of curbing gun violence by holding firearms industry members accountable for business practices that lead to unlawful sales, gun trafficking, and other activities that endanger public safety. According to a recent report by the Joyce Foundation, gun violence costs the U.S. economy more than $500 billion annually in medical expenses, law enforcement, and lost productivity.
The states in the coalition include: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
“This coalition is taking critical steps to protect our communities from the devastating effects of gun violence,” said Platkin. “We will use every available legal tool to ensure the firearms industry is held accountable for their role in fueling this public health crisis.”
The coalition’s launch marks the beginning of a concerted effort to hold the firearms industry accountable for the consequences of unsafe business practices. Attorneys general across the states are committed to using civil enforcement measures to protect public safety and prevent further harm caused by the proliferation of dangerous firearms.
Before you go!
Support local news in Bristol, CT
Help us bring back local news with a donation today. The Bristol Edition is an independent, non-profit online newspaper. Local is where we connect. Believe that local news is important? Support our work.
Be the first to comment on "16-State coalition launches effort to hold firearms industry accountable for gun violence"