A win for gun makers

last updated 8 January 2015

Washington, D.C.

Congress this week passed a law protecting the firearms industry from lawsuits filed by crime victims. The measure was the top legislative priority of the powerful National Rifle Association. Democratic Rep. Robert Wexler, an opponent of the law, said it was nothing but a gift from Republicans to “their gun-dealing cronies.” But NRA Vice President Wayne LaPierre said the victory was sealed by images of New Orleans residents in the chaotic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, “where the one source of comfort was a firearm.”