NAACP Lawsuit Could Impact Future Military Operations

(Springfield, VA) — Gun Owners of America today denounced the anti-gun lawsuit being currently argued by the NAACP in federal court. The suit is one of several that have been launched by anti-gun mayors and organizations around the country — all of which could bankrupt gun makers who must dole out thousands upon thousands of dollars in their own defense.

“With the U.S. troops currently fighting hostile enemies in Iraq, the NAACP is helping to cripple the very industry that supplies our men with their weapons,” said Erich Pratt, Director of Communications for GOA.

More than 30 lawsuits have been launched against gun manufacturers and dealers. Even though none of these suits have proved to be ultimately successful, one gun maker — Navegar — has already been forced into bankruptcy.

“The president of the NAACP has described his suit as part of an effort to ‘break the backs’ of those in the gun industry,” Pratt said. “These lawsuits are nothing but judicial terrorism.”

“Gun makers and dealers are selling a legal product which is constitutionally protected. They should not be punished for helping law-abiding citizens have the means to defend themselves.”

The National Shooting Sports Foundation has documented the patriotic service that many of the gun makers, who are named in the NAACP suit, have offered to our country:

    * Colt has provided firearms to the U.S. military since 1846 and is the only supplier of the M-16 rifle.

    * Smith & Wesson is one of the largest producers of law-enforcement firearms and has produced firearms for the U.S. military since the Civil War.

    * Browning is credited with giving the U.S. and its allies firearms superiority throughout the two world wars, as well as the Korean War.

    * Sturm, Ruger & Company donated rifles to the New York City Police Department in the days following September 11, 2001, for the protection of the people of the city.

    * Glock provides sidearms for much of the U.S. military and to over 65% of the law enforcement agencies throughout the United States.

    * Taurus has volunteered to donate handguns to the first 2,000 pilots who complete their training to carry firearms in the cockpits of commercial airlines.

    * Sig Arms provides the official sidearm for the U.S. Navy SEALS.

“The NAACP lawsuit is not only completely frivolous, it could ultimately prove harmful to our country,” Pratt said. “Our military depends upon these gun makers, as do millions of law-abiding Americans who use these quality firearms for their own self-protection.”

NOTE: The NAACP case began on March 24 in the federal court for the Eastern District of New York. The presiding judge is U.S. District Judge Jack B. Weinstein.