Gunmakers Have Not Stoked Urban Crime, Jury Decides

NEW YORK -- Handing a defeat to the NAACP, a federal jury yesterday cleared 45 gun manufacturers and distributors of allegations their marketing practices have stoked violence in black and Hispanic neighborhoods.

The jury deliberated for five days before reaching its verdict in a case that now goes to U.S. District Judge Jack B. Weinstein for a final decision. The panel was unable to reach a verdict regarding 23 other defendants in the lawsuit, brought by the NAACP.

The lawsuit alleged the firearms industry knew corrupt dealers were supplying their products to criminals in minority communities and did nothing to stop it. Rather than monetary damages, the lawsuit sought to force distributors to restrict sales to dealers who have storefront outlets, prohibit sales to gun show dealers and limit individual buyers to one handgun a month.

The defendants and the gun industry argued that it would be unfair and unlawful to hold manufacturers liable for the criminal use of a legal product. They also said that legislatures -- not courts -- should set standards for sales.
The verdict followed more than five weeks of testimony in the lawsuit against 68 defendants, including Smith & Wesson Corp., Glock Inc., Colt's Manufacturing Co. and other major gunmakers and distributors.

The jury found Glock and Colt's not liable but did not reach a decision on Smith & Wesson.