Indiana Supreme Court Upholds Dismissal of 1999 Lawsuit Against Gun Manufacturers

The Indiana Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from the city of Gary, ending a lawsuit that had been pending since August 1999 against 11 gun manufacturers. The city had sought monetary damages and court orders requiring the manufacturers to adopt sales limits and other measures that had not passed through legislation.

In a 4-1 vote, the Indiana Supreme Court denied Gary's petition to appeal a December ruling from the Indiana Court of Appeals. The appeals court had directed the trial court to dismiss the action, stating that the legislature can legally enact the policy it chose.

The state had passed multiple laws beginning in 2001 to bar suits of this type, with a 2024 revision to the state's version of the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act leading to the final dismissal order.

United, formerly known as the Brady Campaign, issued a statement expressing disappointment with the decision. President Kris Brown said the group felt disappointed for the city of Gary and questioned what the gun industry defendants were afraid of. Brown added that the defendants had fought for 25 years to have a jury decide what accountability gun companies should face.

The lawsuit named manufacturers including Smith and Wesson, Glock, and Beretta.