{"id":353340,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:51","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/product-liability\/product-liability-and-guns.html"},"modified":"2023-11-28T15:55:02","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T20:55:02","slug":"product-liability-and-guns","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/product-liability-and-guns.html","title":{"rendered":"Product Liability and Guns"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Product Liability and Guns<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Firearms cause thousands of injuries and deaths annually. While individuals who misuse them can be liable, pursuing claims against manufacturers or sellers is more complex. Under product liability law, victims may have legal recourse if the firearm was defective or negligently sold or entrusted.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Holding people accountable for firearm injuries can be challenging. If a person shoots you, the courts can hold them criminally and civilly liable<\/a>. But what happens to the company that manufactured, distributed, and sold the firearm?<\/p>\n

Depending on the facts of your case, you may have recourse against the manufacturer, seller, distributor, owner, or purchaser of the firearm under\u00a0product liability<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Consulting with an experienced products liability attorney<\/a> will help you understand what legal claims you may have against these parties.<\/p>\n

This section explains how product liability law applies to guns and other firearms. Specifically, it discusses what possible causes of action you may have against the gun manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, and retailer. You’ll also learn about the damages you can demand from gun makers and firearm manufacturers if you are injured by a defective gun.<\/p>\n

Theories of Recovery: Was It a Gun or a Person That Hurt You?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When deciding whether they have a valid product liability claim, victims of gun violence must consider how their injury happened. Were you using your gun, and something went wrong? Or did someone else shoot you with their firearm?<\/p>\n

These are the questions the courts will ask. If the weapon was defective, recovery may be possible under\u00a0product liability law<\/a>. Your attorney must prove that the defect caused your injury. If the firearm wasn’t defective, you may have to prove that the manufacturer or owner was negligent<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Which approach your lawyer will take in your case depends on several things, such as:<\/p>\n