Angie Craig: “the reason I sent that list of cosponsors to the desk is to demonstrate to all of our colleagues that 61 Senators--60…”

“the reason I sent that list of cosponsors to the desk is to demonstrate to all of our colleagues that 61 Senators--60 plus myself--are now in support of the legislation that is pending before the Senate that we will move to active consideration of this afternoon at 2 o'clock. I think it demonstrates to all of us the broad, bipartisan support this legislation has and a clear recognition that the time for S. 397 has arrived. This legislation prohibits one narrow category of lawsuits: suits against the firearms industry for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm or ammunition by a third party. It is very important for everybody to understand that it is that and nothing more. These predatory lawsuits are aimed at bankrupting the firearms industry. The courts of our Nation are supposed to be a forum for resolving controversies between citizens and providing relief where it is warranted, not a mechanism for achieving political ends that are rejected by the people's representatives, the Congress of the United States. Time and time again down through history, that rejection has occurred on this floor and the floor of the other body. Interest groups, knowing that clear well, have now chosen the court route to attempt to destroy this very valuable industry in our country.…”