WASHINGTON (JTA) — A federal court rejected a lawsuit against a gun manufacturer and dealer filed by relatives of the victims of the 1999 attack on a Los Angeles JCC.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a 2005 federal law that prevented gun makers from being sued over the criminal use of their products was constitutional, according to media reports.
Thus the lawsuit against the manufacturer, Glock Inc., and dealer, RSR Wholesale Guns Seattle, claiming negligence on their part may not proceed.
The court did allow the suit against China North Industries Corp. to continue because the Chinese manufacturer is not federally licensed. A lawyer for the plaintiffs said a decision on whether to keep pursuing the case has not yet been made.
The lawsuit stems from the August 1999 shooting attack on the North Valley Jewish Community Center by a white supremicist. Buford Furrow, who was carrying seven firearms, injured three children, a teenager and an adult.
After leaving the center, Furrow murdered letter carrier Joseph Ileto. Ileto’s widow and the families of the wounded children filed the suit.
Furrow is serving five life terms in prison for his crimes.
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