Madison Reporter

The Wisconsin State Senate has passed a bill designed to embed federal liability protections for firearm manufacturers into state law. The legislation, authored by Senator Julian Bradley and Representative Gae Magnafici, aims to shield gun manufacturers from certain lawsuits.

Senator Bradley stated, "Guns don't kill people; criminals kill people," criticizing President Biden's policies as attempts to undermine the Second Amendment. He added that the bill ensures "activist judges in Wisconsin aren't given the opportunity President Biden wants to frivolously bankrupt firearm manufacturers."

Senate Bill 570 emphasizes accountability for those who commit crimes rather than penalizing gun manufacturers for legal transactions. While it does not prevent all lawsuits against these companies, it protects them when they sell a functioning product legally.

The federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, passed in 2005 with bipartisan support, serves as a precedent for this state-level legislation. Notable figures such as Senator Herb Kohl and Congressmen Ron Kind and Dave Obey supported the federal law.