GREENSBURG, Pa. — The family of a boy who was accidentally shot and killed was in court Wednesday to battle the company that made the gun.
J.R. Gustafson, 13, was shot by a 14-year-old boy in Mt. Pleasant in March of 2016.
Attorneys spent more than 2 1/2 hours arguing in front of the judge to decide whether this wrongful death and product liability case will move forward in civil court.
The lawsuit claims the gun manufacturer should be held accountable because there weren’t enough safety features on the gun.
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It says the gun didn’t have a magazine disconnect safety, a loaded chamber indicator, internal locks or a warning. They believe if it did, it could’ve prevented the tragedy that unfolded.
The argument sits on whether the gun manufacturer is protected by federal law.
The company that made the gun used in the shooting of J.R. — Springfield Inc. — argued that the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act bars the manufacturer from being sued.
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They say the law protects the firearms industry when their products are used in a criminal offense or in any criminal manner.
Now it comes down to whether or not Pennsylvania and the court will set new ground by how it interprets and applies that law to this case.
There’s no timetable as to how long it could be until the judge makes his decision.
Cox Media Group
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