NAACP Lawsuit Seeks to Destroy The “Arsenal Of Democracy”

National Defense & Homeland Security Are Threatened By Frivolous Lawsuit

NEWTOWN, CT – As the United States is fighting the global war on terror and at war against the outlaw regime of Iraq, the NAACP is suing the very companies that produce the tools our military and law enforcement agencies rely on every day. The NAACP is trying to destroy the “Arsenal of Democracy” with a frivolous lawsuit.

“This lawsuit, if brought during a time of peace, would be bad enough,” said Lawrence G. Keane, vice president and general counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). “The fact that they’ve decided to attack the industry that provides our military and law enforcement with the tools they use everyday in the war on terror and in the war with Iraq is unbelievable to say the least,” he added.

Some of the defendants the NAACP has named in the case include:

• Colt – Provider of firearms to the United States Military since 1846, including the venerated Model 1911 pistol, and is the sole supplier of the M-16 rifle.

 
• Smith & Wesson - One of the world’s largest producers of law enforcement equipment, which has provided firearms to the United State’s government since the Civil War.

 
• Browning - Credited with giving the United States and its allies firearms superiority throughout Word War I, World War II and the Korean conflict.

 
• Beretta U.S.A. – Supplier of the standard sidearm to all branches of our military since the mid 1980’s. Beretta supplies law firearms to thousands of law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and the world. Beretta is part of the oldest corporation in the world.

 
• Sturm, Ruger & Company – Donated the rifles that the New York Police Department used to protect the residents of New York City in the days after September 11, 2001.

 
• Glock - Provides firearms to over 65% of law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, including the FBI and DEA.

 
• Taurus – Volunteered to donate handguns to the first 2,000 airline pilots who successfully complete the safety training course that will allow them to arm themselves as the final line of defense against terrorists and hijackers who might try to take over a plane.

 
• Sig Arms - Makes the sidearm of choice for the men and women responsible for the protection of the President of the United States, the U.S. Secret Service. They also provide the official sidearm of the US Navy SEALS, and law enforcement agencies throughout the world.

“It’s hard to understand what’s motivating them to do this,” Keane said. “If the NAACP lawsuit succeeds, who will produce the tools our military and police use to protect America, its allies, and freedom at home and around the world?”

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), formed in 1961, is the trade association for the firearms and recreational shooting sports industry. The NSSF manages a variety of programs designed to promote a better understanding of and a more active participation in the shooting sports.

The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act seeks to protect firearms and ammunition manufacturers from being sued for the criminal misuse of their lawful products by third parties. This legislation seeks to prevent abuses to the American legal system.

Only passage of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (HR 1036 / S 659) will eliminate these frivolous lawsuits that threaten to destroy one of America's oldest, most important industries and eliminate the jobs of thousands of Americans. With 243 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives and 51 co-sponsors in the Senate, the Act enjoys strong bi-partisan support.

According to a recent national poll conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 69% of Americans would be more favorable toward their Senator or Representative if they voted to reform the way class action lawsuits are handled in the United States. A recent poll conducted by the American Tort Reform Association found that 83.4% of Americans believe there are too many lawsuits in America.

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