What’s old is new, again. That’s the case when it comes to public nuisance lawsuits. Those are the pesky lawsuits brought by municipalities that bring claims against entities alleging that their lawfully-made and lawfully-sold products or services are somehow harmful to communities.
In reality, they’re a trial lawyer’s dream. They attempt to place the blame on remote third parties for the failings — and even the criminal actions — of those who are ultimately responsible for their own criminal behavior. Lawsuits like these are an attempt to absolve an individual of responsibility for their own actions and instead — like a petulant child — claim that “the devil made me do it.”
That devil, of course, is the nearest target of that blame deflection. With public lawsuits, they also happen to be companies. Those companies represent deep pockets. Those trial lawyers see a payout. The activists working hand-in-glove with those trial lawyers see the reward in the devious notion that they can bleed those companies dry with legal costs and court fees, settlements, or even damage awards if they get lucky.
This is nothing new to those in the firearm industry. As Yogi Berra once said, “It’s déjà vu all over again.”
By Larry Keane

