Anti-gun Leftists Want to Repeal Lawsuit Immunity

— Action is Needed Immediately to Prevent This

HB 1143 has been sponsored by Rep. Andrew Bouldin and eleven other Democrats. The title says all we need to know: “repealing limited liability for manufacturers, distributors, dealers or importers of firearms or ammunition.”

HB 1143 is scheduled for a public hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, February 5 at 11 AM in Room 208 of the Legislative Office Building.

Way back in 2003, I was involved in the fight to enact HB 811.  This law was enacted at a time when plaintiffs lawyers, encouraged by anti-gun activists, were aggressively suing firearms dealers, distributors, and manufacturers.  They were attempting to hold these legitimate businesses liable for the abuse of their lawful products by criminals.

Their ultimate goal: to ban guns (or make them prohibitively expensive) by suing into bankruptcy those who legally produced and sold them.

HB 1143 must be defeated.  To do anything less will allow the plaintiff’s bar to sue legitimate firearms businesses and force them out of business for the acts of criminals, and those who are able to remain in business will surely raise prices to cover the increased legal costs.  This is un-American.

The essence and body of the Second Amendment and Article 2A are based upon a healthy firearm and ammunition industry. HB 1143 is attempting to punish the law-abiding for the acts of criminals.

New Hampshire’s lawsuit immunity law does not preclude suits against gun makers based on defective or malfunctioning products.

In addition to HB 1143, we are also facing HB 1350 which requires that every gun sold includes a lock. And if that weren’t bad enough the sponsors are mandating that each and every lock be approved by the Commissioner of the Department of Safety.  A good way to end gun sales is to have a future, the leftist governor orders the commissioner not to approve any locks.  Poof… that’s the end of gun sales in New Hampshire.

I also want to make you aware of HB 1509 which is a new twist on an old bad idea.  So-called “red flag” gun confiscation but this time it is taking place in post-secondary educational facilities.  HB 1509 includes a long list of what the sponsors refer to as “concerning behaviors” but what most people would dismiss as just someone going about their daily business.  However, if a court finds by the low standard of clear and convincing evidence, that someone exhibits one of these “concerning behaviors” they lose their Second Amendment rights.  Perennial anti-gun compromiser, Rep. Dave Welch, is the sole Republican co-sponsor.

Back in September, I explained that these bills are not about protecting our children or public safety.  They represent an attempt at a total leftist takeover of New Hampshire.  If the radical left can get enough Republicans and Governor Sununu to go along with even one of these outrageous bills, they win.  It seems they’ve made inroads with Rep. Welch.

The left will never vote for Governor Sununu or any other Republican, but if they can trick or force them to support gun control then they win because they know that we will (rightfully) abandon them in November 2020. The Republicans need to be reminded that their party platform opposes gun control.  The leaders must enforce the platform.

Here is what you need to do:

Please contact the House Judiciary Committee and urge them to vote HB 1143 inexpedient to legislate.  Please be polite but firm as you explain to committee members that gun makers are selling a lawful product and they should not be held responsible for the abuse of their products by criminals.

Then contact your own state representatives to urge them to oppose HB 1143, HB 1350 and HB 1509.  Legislators need to know that we are informed, single issue voters and we will not accept one word of gun control.

Finally, once again contact Governor Sununu and let him know that you will not accept one word of gun control.