BILL REQ. #:  S-0431.2 

Read first time 01/24/2005.   Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

     TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:
     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
     WHEREAS, Citizens have a right, protected by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, to keep and bear arms; and
     WHEREAS, Lawsuits have been commenced against manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and importers of firearms that operate as designed and intended, which seek money damages and other relief for the harm caused by the misuses of firearms by third parties, including criminals; and
     WHEREAS, The manufacture, importation, possession, sale, and use of firearms and ammunition in the United States are heavily regulated by Federal, State, and local laws including the Gun Control Act of 1968, the National Firearms Act, and the Arms Export Control Act; and
     WHEREAS, Businesses in the United States that are engaged in interstate and foreign commerce through the lawful design, manufacture, marketing, distribution, importation, or sale to the public of firearms or ammunition that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce are not, and should not, be liable for the harm caused by those who criminally or unlawfully misuse firearm products or ammunition products that function as designed and intended; and
     WHEREAS, Thirty-three states have passed legislation protecting firearms and ammunition manufacturers, and legislation in Congress supporting this measure has broad bipartisan support;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that our elected Representatives and Senators in the United States Congress end the abuse of tort laws against the firearm industry.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.