The Kansas Supreme Court affirms the dismissal of a civil lawsuit against gun manufacturer Beretta and retailer Bass Pro Shops, ruling they are immune from product liability claims in a case involving a shooting incident. The suit was brought by Marquise Johnson, an Emporia State University football player, who was accidentally shot by a teammate in 2018, resulting in the amputation of his leg. Johnson’s attorneys argued that the firearm should have included additional safety features, yet the court cited federal law that protects gun makers and sellers from such lawsuits when a firearm is misused.
In a detailed opinion, the court found that the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act shields the gun industry from liability in this case because the weapon was unlawfully discharged. Notably, the Supreme Court noted that, while the shooter believed it was necessary to pull the trigger to disassemble the gun, the instructions provided with the gun clarified that it could be taken apart without doing so—and that it could fire even without a magazine inserted. This ruling sheds light on the complexities surrounding gun liability and safety regulations in the U.S.
Read full story at kansasreflector.com
