In a significant legal and political development, New Hampshire-based Sig Sauer, a prominent gun manufacturer, has successfully lobbied for a new state law that imposes tighter restrictions on how lawsuits against gun manufacturers can be pursued. The law was enacted amidst rising litigation concerning the company's P320 pistol, which is alleged by some plaintiffs to be prone to discharging without the trigger being pulled—a claim that Sig Sauer vehemently denies.
The newly enacted legislation specifically addresses product liability claims related to the presence or absence of four particular safety features, including an external mechanical safety. Critics argue that such features should be standard in firearms, particularly the P320 model, which reportedly lacks this safety mechanism in most of its versions. Despite ongoing lawsuits filed by various individuals, including law enforcement officers who allege they've been harmed by the firearm, Sig Sauer maintains that its products are safe due to internal safety mechanisms, asserting that any issues stem from user error or non-compatible holsters.
The law's supporters, primarily from the Republican-led Legislature, argue that it is necessary to protect a major employer in the state and to combat what they characterize as frivolous lawsuits. State Rep. Terry Roy expressed his support for the measure, suggesting that it does not make sense for consumers to be able to sue manufacturers over features that are not standard across all products. However, opponents of the law argue it creates a unique immunity for the gun industry that is not available to other companies in New Hampshire, thereby undermining victims' access to justice and accountability against harmful products.
Sig Sauer, which employs over 2,000 residents in New Hampshire, has faced mounting legal pressure, with over 100 lawsuits filed against it, including more than 70 in the home state. The company recently appealed two multimillion-dollar verdicts against it related to the P320, one in Pennsylvania and another in Georgia. With the new legal protections in place following New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte's signature on May 23, 2023, Sig Sauer hopes to deter additional litigation that they argue diverts resources from their operations and hampers job growth.
Critics of the law, including state Rep. David Meuse, have voiced concerns that such legislation prioritizes corporate interests over consumer safety and victim rights. They contend that it creates a dangerous precedent by allowing a major manufacturer to sidestep accountability for potentially unsafe products. Attorney Robert Zimmerman, who leads some of the lawsuits against Sig Sauer, states that the objective is to compel changes in the weapon's design to enhance user safety.
The law, which has taken effect but does not apply to current lawsuits, has been positioned by Sig Sauer's legal representatives as crucial for their defense strategies in ongoing litigation. They are currently facing suits in Concord, where a federal judge is overseeing the cases. Proponents of the statute assert that it shields New Hampshire businesses from opportunistic claims from out-of-state lawyers, citing the need to protect local economies from unwarranted legal pressures.
The atmosphere surrounding this legislation reflects broader trends in the U.S. legal landscape, where similar protective measures have been enacted for the gun industry in various states. These developments align with a history of the gun industry being granted significant immunity, a trend some experts believe undermines accountability and regulatory oversight.
As the legal battle continues, the implications of this new law for victims, the gun industry, and legal precedent in New Hampshire remain to be seen, particularly as it intersects with national conversations about gun safety and corporate liability.
