Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN Legal & Legislation

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.

TRENDING NOW
Virginia: Legislature Adjourns from 2026 Session; Anti-Gun Bills on Governor's Desk

Sunday, March 15, 2026

Virginia: Legislature Adjourns from 2026 Session; Anti-Gun Bills on Governor's Desk

On Saturday, March 14th, the Virginia General Assembly adjourned sine die from the 2026 legislative session, and the future of the Commonwealth hangs in the balance. 

DOJ Legal Filing Renews Concerns About ATF’s Posture on Braced Pistols

Friday, March 20, 2026

DOJ Legal Filing Renews Concerns About ATF’s Posture on Braced Pistols

The saga of ATF’s enforcement of the National Firearm Act’s “short barreled rifle” provisions against braced pistols has been a roller coaster ride of shifting interpretations. NRA-ILA has been keeping up with, reporting on, and ...

Michigan Red Flag Report Sheds Light on Confiscation Orders in Practice

News  

Monday, March 16, 2026

Michigan Red Flag Report Sheds Light on Confiscation Orders in Practice

This month, Michigan’s judicial branch published the 2025 edition of its annual report on the state’s Extreme Risk Protection Order Act (red flag gun confiscation order statute). 

Canada Spending $25K+ per Gun Confiscated from Non-Criminals; 0 Lives Saved

News  

Monday, March 16, 2026

Canada Spending $25K+ per Gun Confiscated from Non-Criminals; 0 Lives Saved

More proof (as if any was needed) has emerged that the Canadian gun ban and confiscation is a massive administrative, practical and economic debacle.

New Jersey: Sherrill Administration Has Yet to Update Permit to Carry Dashboard

Thursday, March 19, 2026

New Jersey: Sherrill Administration Has Yet to Update Permit to Carry Dashboard

After Phil Murphy signed NJ’s Carry Killer bill (A.4769), in a complete rejection of the Supreme Court’s holding in Bruen, the Attorney General’s Office elected to voluntarily release data relating to the number of carry permit applications, including ...

Virginia: Semi-Auto Ban Heads to Governor Spanberger's Desk

Monday, March 9, 2026

Virginia: Semi-Auto Ban Heads to Governor Spanberger's Desk

Yet another piece of anti-gun legislation has made it out of the General Assembly and is on its way to Governor Spanberger.

Kansas: State-Level Suppressor Bill Passes Senate

Friday, March 20, 2026

Kansas: State-Level Suppressor Bill Passes Senate

This week, the Senate passed House Bill 2501, removing suppressors and short barreled firearms from the controlled weapons list at the state level.

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.

Kansas: Senate Vote on State-Level Suppressor Bill TODAY

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Kansas: Senate Vote on State-Level Suppressor Bill TODAY

Today, March 18th, the Senate will hold a floor vote on the Senate substitute for House Bill 2501, removing suppressors and short barreled rifles from the controlled weapons list at the state level.

Michigan: Constitutional Carry Legislation Introduced

Thursday, March 5, 2026

Michigan: Constitutional Carry Legislation Introduced

A package of pro-Second Amendment legislation has been introduced in the Michigan House. House Bills 5653–5657 would make Michigan the 30th state in the nation to recognize Constitutional Carry, allowing individuals who are legally permitted ...

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

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.