BUFFALO, N.Y., Oct. 9 (UPI) -- A man who was shot and seriously wounded as a teenager nearly a decade ago can sue the maker of the gun, a New York State appeals court says.
The Brady Center in Washington said the ruling is the first time a court has allowed gun manufacturers and distributors to be sued under the 2005 federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, The Buffalo News reported.
"This important ruling states that gun companies who choose to supply the criminal gun market are not above the law," said Jonathan Lowy, a Brady Center lawyer who is part of the legal team. "When the gun industry places profits over people, it should and must be held accountable to the innocent victims of its dangerous practices."
Danny "Bud" Williams, now 25, was shot in the stomach with a handgun in 2003 while he played basketball in his Buffalo neighborhood. At the time, he was a star player at McKinley High School, but the wound ended his hopes of becoming a college player.
A lower court dismissed his lawsuit.
