Maybe the worst example of special protections purchased by wealth and power is the National Rifle Association’s death grip on the national legislature over the last few decades: blocking any meaningful regulation of sales and passing federal legislation granting certain immunities from civil suit.
Perhaps the timing is a coincidence, but as the NRA’s power, money, and influence wane over their struggles to stay afloat, trial lawyers are making rare progress for gun violence victims.
This news is significant – not so much for the amount of the settlement paid by Remington (twenty elementary school children died) but because Remington knuckled under despite the legal odds stacked in their favor. Which raises the excellent question – what next?
Sandy Hook families, Remington reached a ‘historic’ settlement. What’s next for similar cases?
Sweet talkin’ people done ran me out of town
And I drank enough whiskey to float a battleship around
But I’m leavin’ this game one step ahead of you
And you will not hear me cry ’cause I do not sing the blues
H/T Skynyrd
