The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a challenge to New York’s law allowing lawsuits against firearm manufacturers for alleged harm caused by the “criminal or unlawful misuse” of their products.
The legislation, signed into law by former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2021, permits legal claims against gun makers, wholesalers, and dealers for conduct that endangers public health in New York. Second Amendment groups criticized the high court’s decision to dismiss the challenge.
“The United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) stated the move is troubling because it could expose lawful businesses to lawsuits for crimes committed by criminals.”
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) attempted to appeal a lower court ruling alongside Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Beretta, Glock, Sig Sauer, and Sturm. They argued that New York’s 2021 law renders the 2005 federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act meaningless. The 2005 law grants manufacturers, distributors, and dealers broad immunity from most civil liability lawsuits.
“NSSF sincerely believes those criminals who illegally misuse lawful products should be held responsible for the harms they cause when they commit their crimes,” said Mark Oliva, NSSF spokesperson. “Holding the firearm industry responsible for criminal misuse is akin to holding Ford Motor Company responsible for damages from drunk-driving crimes.”
Republican Representatives Claudia Tenney (N.Y.) and Nick Langworthy (N.Y.) filed a brief supporting gun manufacturers in the lawsuit. The Firearms Policy Coalition compared New York’s law to allowing legal claims against Apple over social media incidents.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated, “If you refuse to take basic steps to keep your guns from being used illegally, New York will make sure you pay.” A federal judge previously ruled against gunmakers in New York, and the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that ruling in a July 2025 decision.
New York Attorney General Letitia James urged the court not to take up the case, noting the federal law “allows gun industry members to be held liable for the downstream acts of third parties in some circumstances.”