GIFFORDS Florida: Lawmakers put defective guns over Florida gun owners

WASHINGTON —   Today, GIFFORDS Florida, the gun violence prevention organization founded by Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, called on lawmakers to stand with Florida gun owners over greedy gun industry CEOs who are pushing for legislation that would allow them to exclude basic safety features from their guns — yet still be immune in court when sued for product liability.

This bill is a brazen attempt by gun industry CEOs to buy immunity and protect their profits at the cost of their customers’ and the public’s safety. The legislation, HB 1551/SB 1748, was crafted by gun company Sig Sauer specifically to protect its bottom line after widely reported defects in one of its most popular weapons have caused the gun to fire on its own. This defect has resulted in over a hundred injuries and even in deaths — yet Sig Sauer is seeking to change Florida’s laws to avoid accountability. Families of the victims, injured survivors, and the thousands of law enforcement officers who still carry Sig Sauer weapons deserve better.

“Let’s be honest—this bill exists because some Florida Republicans know it’s only a matter of time before another defective Sig Sauer pistol fires a bullet into an unsuspecting Floridian gun owner. It’s unforgivable for elected officials to recognize that and still choose to protect a greedy gun industry CEO over their own constituents,” said GIFFORDS Florida State Director Samantha Barrios. “Ignore the desperate gun lobby talking points—protecting Floridians from faulty guns that are notorious for firing without pulling the trigger should be common sense. Any lawmaker who claims to stand with gun owners or law enforcement must come out against this flawed, special interest giveaway.”