This is really an update to this post.
The senate, today approved S 397 by a vote of 65-31. Apparently, those who said it would immunize firearm manufacturers and sellers from lawsuits due to negligence got little traction. Some of that might have been due to the language of the bill itself, which specifically excludes negligence (among other things) from the offered protection. (Massachusetts' favourite swimmer tried once again to revive his infamous 'cop killer bullet' canard, but once again, it didn't fly)
One interesting point covered in the article was this:
The gun industry gave 88 percent of its campaign contributions, or $1.2 million, to Republicans in the 2004 election cycle. Gun control advocates, meanwhile, gave 98 percent of their contributions, or $93,700, to Democrats during that election, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
The percentage totals aren't particularly surprising, but, particularly as how the 'gun industry' lobby is said to be so very powerful, isn't the amount of money spent rather pitiful?
As it cannot be through monetary influence that it (the 'gun industry') has power; if memory serves, they were outspent by the trial lawyers, at a ratio of something like 100-1; it has to be through votes.
... which seems to indicate that this is another of those areas where 'we' should listen to 'the voice of the people'...
... only when those people see it the way they're supposed to.
