Some of the lawsuits target the firearm industry for not providing devices that prevent unauthorized use. St. Louis officials say they will file a similar lawsuit. The lawsuits seek damage awards from the firearms industry for costs of handling shootings and treating shooting victims. Sponsor Rep. Larry Crawford, R-Centertown, said constituents in his district have been complaining about the suits. The comparison to cars is interesting to Julianne Stone, policy assistant for St. Louis Mayor Clarence Harmon, whose office will file a suit.
Cars have to have seat belts.
When St. Louis will join Chicago, New Orleans, Atlanta, Cleveland, Dade County Florida, and Bridgeport, Conn. in filing a suit is unknown. Crawford said stopping St. Louis' pending suit is the intent of the bill. With less than five weeks left in the legislative session, the bill has little chance of passage this year. Scott Holste, spokesman for the Attorney General Jay Nixon, said although Nixon did join the tobacco suit, he is not considering bringing the state into a suit against the gun industry. Similar legislation to this bill has been introduced in 21 states, passing in three.