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
CBS Report: Chicago’s Responsible Gun Owners Wrongfully Arrested, Charged

News  

Monday, October 27, 2025

CBS Report: Chicago’s Responsible Gun Owners Wrongfully Arrested, Charged

The Windy City has its fair share of problems, but a lack of violent criminals isn’t one of them, as anyone who takes a moment to look through local crime news source CWB Chicago knows for a ...

ATF Proposes Beneficial Changes to Form 1 for NFA Firearms

News  

Monday, November 3, 2025

ATF Proposes Beneficial Changes to Form 1 for NFA Firearms

After the nasty tricks of the Biden-Harris administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) continues to hand out treats under President Trump.

Trump Continues Commitment to Gun Owners

News  

Monday, October 27, 2025

Trump Continues Commitment to Gun Owners

We’ve covered the numerous ways in which President Donald Trump has used his office to defend or advance our rights protected under the Second Amendment. 

Everytown Gun “Safety” Course: We Told Ya So

News  

Monday, November 3, 2025

Everytown Gun “Safety” Course: We Told Ya So

A few weeks ago, we mentioned that the anti-gun extremists at Everytown were ready to launch their own gun “safety” course. 

North Carolina: Update on Permitless Carry

Friday, October 24, 2025

North Carolina: Update on Permitless Carry

Last week the North Carolina General Assembly briefly returned from recess and re-referred Senate Bill 50, Freedom to Carry NC, to the House Rules Committee.

Minnesota: St. Paul Introduces Performative "Assault Weapon" Ban

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Minnesota: St. Paul Introduces Performative "Assault Weapon" Ban

In an act of political theater on Wednesday, October 22nd, the city council of St. Paul introduced a so-called "assault weapon" ban ordinance, which as written would ban the possession of popular firearms and standard ...

Trump Administration Cuts Off Funding Spigot to More Gun Control Groups

News  

Monday, November 3, 2025

Trump Administration Cuts Off Funding Spigot to More Gun Control Groups

An NRA-ILA alert last month highlighted the ways in which President Donald Trump has used his office to safeguard our rights protected under the Second Amendment.

Trump DOJ Continues to Support the Second Amendment in the Courts

News  

Monday, November 3, 2025

Trump DOJ Continues to Support the Second Amendment in the Courts

Earlier this year, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, announced a critical change to policies affecting gun rights in Washington D.C.

Wall Street Journal Laments Self-Defense, Misleads on Facts and Law

News  

Monday, November 3, 2025

Wall Street Journal Laments Self-Defense, Misleads on Facts and Law

Last week, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published an article entitled, “Six Words Every Killer Should Know: ‘I Feared for My Life, Officer.” Using a mis-mash of half-baked statistics, legal misinformation, and cherry-picked anecdotes, it ...

Maine: Tomorrow is Election Day - OPPOSE QUESTION 2!

Monday, November 3, 2025

Maine: Tomorrow is Election Day - OPPOSE QUESTION 2!

TOMORROW, NOVEMBER 4th, is ELECTION DAY IN MAINE AND YOUR RIGHTS ARE ON THE BALLOT. Find your polling place here: triggerthevote.org

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.