In the late 1990s, lawsuits spearheaded by Brady on behalf of over 30 major cities nationwide exposed the role of the gun industry in supplying the criminal gun market, won several landmark court decisions, and led to a groundbreaking settlement that showed how gun companies can become part of the solution to gun violence. In 2000 Smith & Wesson, one of the nation’s largest gun manufacturers, agreed to a settlement with the federal government and several cities represented by Brady. In the settlement, announced by President Clinton at the White House, Smith & Wesson agreed to significantly reform its sales and manufacturing practices in order to reduce the risk of supplying the criminal gun market, and to include life-saving safety features on its products.
Brady’s representation of over 30 cities and counties also won rulings in the Supreme Courts of Indiana and Ohio, and several trial courts, that held the gun industry could be liable for contributing to gun crimes by selling guns without reasonable safeguards.
The Cities and Counties represented by Brady included New York, Washington, DC, Boston, New Orleans, Miami-Dade County, FL, Detroit, Bridgeport, CT, St.Louis, MO, Newark, NJ, Gary, IN, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento, and West Hollywood.
FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON CALLED THE AGREEMENT “A MAJOR VICTORY FOR AMERICA’S FAMILIES. IT SAYS THAT GUN MAKERS CAN AND WILL SHARE IN THE RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP THEIR PRODUCTS OUT OF THE WRONG HANDS. AND IT SAYS THAT GUN MAKERS WILL MAKE THEIR GUNS SAFER.”
For more than 30 years, Brady’s legal team has been the nation’s only law group fighting on behalf of victims and communities to prevent gun deaths and injuries.
We've argued and won before state supreme courts, trial courts, and federal appeals courts, arguing or filing legal briefs in 44 states, and helping win important victories in the United States Supreme Court. Brady's Legal Alliance works with hundreds of lawyers and firms that contribute their passion and time — pro bono — to reform the corporate gun lobby and secure justice for the victims and survivors of gun violence.
Understanding the issues and supporting common-sense solutions is the only way to fight America’s gun violence epidemic. Everything you need to know from the latest legislation and Brady reports to key statistics and personal stories can be found here. Share it with your friends as well. There is a lot of misinformation out there that needs to be corrected - be an educated activist.
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