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Jury Rejects NAACP Claims -- Will Judge Concur?

Friday, May 16, 2003

On May 14, an advisory jury in the NAACP`s lawsuit against a number of gun manufacturers rendered its verdict. After nearly five days of deliberation, the jury unanimously found 38 of the industry defendants not liable for the criminal misuse of their products. Seven other defendants were exonerated by a vote of at least 10 of the 12 jurors. In 23 additional instances, the jury rendered no decision. Not a single defendant was found intentionally or negligently responsible for any public nuisance, as the NAACP tried to claim.

Lawrence Keane, vice president and general counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), said of the verdict, "We welcome the advisory jury`s common sense finding that the manufacturers and distributors of firearms are not responsible for the criminal misuse of their products." Keane continued, "This victory demonstrates the claims made by the NAACP and others are baseless and entirely without merit and proves the firearm industry is a highly-regulated and law-abiding industry."

The jury verdict, however, does not bring an official close to this case. The presiding judge, Jack B. Weinstein, who has a history of judicial activism penalizing the gun industry, will use the jury`s decision only in an advisory capacity. The jury`s decision can be accepted or rejected in whole or part by Weinstein in the next 30 days.

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Virginia: Multiple Gun Control Bills Advance in Senate

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Virginia: Multiple Gun Control Bills Advance in Senate

On Monday, January 26th, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee advanced a slate of gun control bills targeting semi-automatic firearms, standard capacity magazines, carry rights, home storage, and more.

The Stakes are High as U.S. Supreme Court Considers Anti-gun “Vampire Rule”

News  

Monday, January 26, 2026

The Stakes are High as U.S. Supreme Court Considers Anti-gun “Vampire Rule”

On Tuesday, Jan. 20, the U.S. Supreme Court held oral arguments in a Second Amendment case that asked whether handgun carry licensees could be presumptively banned from carrying their arms onto publicly accessible private property. 

Virginia: More Gun Control Bills Filed Including Semi-Auto Ban and Tax on Suppressors!

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Virginia: More Gun Control Bills Filed Including Semi-Auto Ban and Tax on Suppressors!

Anti-gun legislators in Richmond have been busy ahead of the 2026 legislative session working on ways to burden your Second Amendment rights.

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging Supreme Court to Strike Down Firearm Prohibition for Marijuana Users

Friday, January 30, 2026

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging Supreme Court to Strike Down Firearm Prohibition for Marijuana Users

Today, the National Rifle Association, along with the Independence Institute and FPC Action Foundation, filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down the federal prohibition on firearm possession by marijuana users.

Virginia: More Gun Control Introduced in General Assembly

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Virginia: More Gun Control Introduced in General Assembly

The 2026 Virginia legislative session is underway, and lawmakers are continuing their assault on your Second Amendment rights.

ATF Rewrites Rules for Addicts/Unlawful Drug Users as Supreme Court Case Looms

News  

Monday, January 26, 2026

ATF Rewrites Rules for Addicts/Unlawful Drug Users as Supreme Court Case Looms

On Jan. 22, ATF published an interim final rule (IFR) that revises the agency’s approach to determining who is an “unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance” and therefore prohibited from owning or receiving firearms ...

North Carolina: Permitless Carry Veto Override Vote Postponed

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

North Carolina: Permitless Carry Veto Override Vote Postponed

Today, the North Carolina House of Representatives rescheduled this morning’s veto override on Senate Bill 50, Freedom to Carry NC, to February 9, 2026.

Arizona: Firearm Bills on the Move

Friday, January 16, 2026

Arizona: Firearm Bills on the Move

On Wednesday, January 21st, the Senate Committee on Public Safety will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 1058, regarding gun owner privacy. 

Oregon: Gun Control Scheduled for Day One of Session!

Saturday, January 31, 2026

Oregon: Gun Control Scheduled for Day One of Session!

On Monday, February 2nd, the Oregon Legislature will convene for the 2026 session, and gun control is already queued up for the first day of session.

New Mexico: Anti-Gun Legislation to be heard Wednesday in Senate Committee

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

New Mexico: Anti-Gun Legislation to be heard Wednesday in Senate Committee

Tomorrow, the New Mexico Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on an omnibus gun control package that would severely undermine the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding New Mexicans and threaten ...

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NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.