Bill Overview
Title: Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2022
Description: This bill removes limitations on the civil liability of gun manufacturers and the disclosure of gun trace data in civil actions. Specifically, the bill repeals the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which prohibits civil actions against a firearm or ammunition manufacturer, seller, importer, dealer, or trade association for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm. Additionally, the bill states that firearms trace data maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is not immune from legal process. Such data is subject to discovery; is admissible as evidence; and may be used, relied on, or disclosed in a civil action or administrative proceeding.
Sponsors: Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-28]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals globally affected by gun violence
Estimated Size: 100000000
- The bill will impact victims of gun violence by allowing them to sue firearm manufacturers or dealers, potentially offering a new avenue for compensation.
- Gun manufacturers and dealers will be directly affected because they may face more lawsuits resulting from the misuse of firearms.
- Legal professionals working in civil rights and product liability cases may experience an increase in cases related to gun violence.
- The general public may indirectly be impacted through potential changes in gun manufacturing practices due to increased legal accountability.
Reasoning
- The simulated interviews cover a spectrum of individuals likely influenced by the proposed policy and those less directly impacted.
- Victims of gun violence are included, as they might gain new legal avenues for compensation and justice.
- Gun manufacturers, dealers, and their employees are involved, given their direct financial and operational stakes in potential legal changes.
- Legal professionals are included to reflect the anticipated uptick in litigation involving gun violence cases whose practices may change due to new case loads.
- A sample of citizens unaffiliated with gun ownership or legal professions was added to gauge indirect perceptions and potential shifts in public safety sentiments.
Simulated Interviews
Social Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having the ability to hold gun manufacturers accountable may finally bring some justice to victims of gun violence.
- I'm hopeful this might lead to safer practices and reduce the number of illegal guns in our community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Gun Shop Owner (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 57 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Repealing the current protections could open my business up to lawsuits for things out of my control.
- I might have to reconsider the types of products to sell, or even whether it's feasible to continue business.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 7 |
Civil Rights Attorney (New York, NY)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy would definitely increase the number of cases I work on, which could mean more justice for my clients.
- However, the increase in workload might overwhelm smaller firms.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Teacher (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If this leads to fewer guns being sold irresponsibly, it could make a big difference in my students' lives.
- I worry about potential backlash from those who oppose increased gun control.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired Police Officer (Rural Kansas)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think we must focus on keeping guns out of criminals' hands, but holding manufacturers liable might not be the answer.
- It might make legally purchasing firearms more difficult.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
College Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a positive step toward accountability and could encourage safer gun policies.
- I believe students will feel safer with more restrictions on gun accessibility.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Software Engineer (Austin, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I don't own a gun, I believe this policy could pressure manufacturers to be more responsible.
- It's crucial we find a balance that respects rights and promotes safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Gun Manufacturer Employee (Detroit, MI)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could mean a significant drop in manufacturing jobs, impacting my family and community.
- We need protection against frivolous lawsuits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 8 |
Public Health Researcher (Seattle, WA)
Age: 51 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is an opportunity to gather better data to inform public health interventions.
- It may help us see the direct impacts of policy changes on gun-related incidents.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Shopper at Gun Shows (Miami, FL)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy seems like a slippery slope, possibly leading to further restrictions.
- I appreciate the importance of accountability but worry about my ability to buy and sell guns freely.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $800000000)
Year 2: $520000000 (Low: $312000000, High: $832000000)
Year 3: $540800000 (Low: $324480000, High: $865280000)
Year 5: $583200000 (Low: $349920000, High: $932480000)
Year 10: $670000000 (Low: $402000000, High: $1072000000)
Year 100: $1340000000 (Low: $804000000, High: $2144000000)
Key Considerations
- The elasticity of demand for firearms and how increased liability costs could influence pricing and sales.
- Legal resources and costs associated with processing an increased number of civil cases in the courts.
- Potential for improved safety standards and a subsequent decrease in gun violence.
- Experimental nature of the liability shifts and how companies may respond with preemptive adjustments.