September 30, 2005 Mr. Clyde S. Dale (name changed to protect anonimity of the resident Bard) Bard Extraordinare Somwhere in the Mitten State Mr. Dale: Thank you . . . . . for contacting me to express your support for protecting gun manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits. I appreciate hearing from you. I grew up in Clare, Michigan, and many in my family hunt and enjoy firearm sports. I felt very comfortable growing up with guns in our home and I understand the importance of legal gun ownership. I do not support any efforts to take guns away from law-abiding citizens, but I do support the enforcement of laws stopping minors and criminals from illegally purchasing guns. As you may know, Senator Larry Craig introduced the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (S. 397) on February 16, 2005. This bill prohibits firearms manufacturers from being sued for damages resulting from the misuse of their products, but also includes provisions that would give immunity even to gun dealers who knowingly sell firearms to criminals. Because the final version of this legislation contained this loophole allowing disreputable gun dealers to escape penalties for criminal acts, I could not support this bill. This legislation passed the Senate on July 29, 2005 by a vote of 65-31, and was sent to the House of Representatives for its consideration. I supported a substitute bill, which would have shielded gun manufacturers and law-abiding gun dealers from frivolous lawsuits, but would have held dealers responsible if they knowingly sold guns to criminals. Unfortunately, this bill failed to pass the Senate. Also, Michigan already has a very strong law on the books that shields gun manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits. Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. Please feel free to do so whenever I may be of assistance to you or your family. Sincerely, Debbie Stabenow United States Senator