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Compiled by VPN Staff
The GOP controlled House of Representatives again flexed its muscle for the special interests, this time the gun lobby, by putting a straightjacket on a House bill to limit debate and blocked all reasonable amendments to the bill once it reached the House floor and limited debate on the matter.
Late Monday evening Oct 17, the House Rules Committee reported a closed rule for the consideration of S. 397, the "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act," which the Senate passed on July 29, 2005. This bill prohibits civil lawsuits against gun manufacturers and dealers for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful use of their products. It is anticipated that this rule and S. 397 will be on the House floor Tuesday or Wednesday.
This closed rule allows for only one hour of debate, equally divided between the Chairman and the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee. The rule blocks all 8 of the thoughtful Democratic amendments that were submitted to the Rules Committee. In particular, Rules Committee Republicans opposed on straight party-line votes the following amendments:
An amendment offered by Reps. Van Hollen and Waxman prohibiting suspected and known terrorists from purchasing firearms;
An amendment offered by Reps. Lofgren and Jackson Lee allowing courts to hear lawsuits concerning gun injuries to law enforcement officers;
An amendment offered by Rep. McCarthy permitting gun liability lawsuits to go forward until the US Attorney General has 90% of the records necessary to conduct criminal background checks for gun purchases;
Another amendment offered by Rep. McCarthy expanding the bill's prohibition on armor-piercing bullets to include bullets capable of penetrating body armor; and
An amendment offered by Rep. Linda Sanchez permitting courts to hear suits based on sales of weapons to persons with domestic violence convictions.
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