When Bush signed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act this week, the National Rifle Association said history was being made. The bill will greatly decrease the liability for gun manufacturers, owners, and distributors from what had been a growing number of lawsuits against them by victims of violent crime. When the bill passed the House 283 to 144 on October 20, it was opposed by only four Republicans: Rep. Michael Castle (R.-Del.), Rep. Mark Kirk (R.-Ill.), Rep. Ron Paul (R.-Tex) and Rep. Christopher Shays (R.-Conn.). In the Senate where it had been approved 65 to 31, Rhode Island??¢â???¬â???¢s Lincoln Chafee was the only GOP opponent. Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the NRA said, ??¢â???¬?????History will show that this law helped save the American firearms industry from collapse under the burden of these ruinous and politically motivated lawsuits.??¢â???¬
