The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act
Overview of Federal Law Shielding the Firearm Industry
The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) was passed in 2005. The act generally shields federally licensed manufacturers, dealers and sellers of firearms or ammunition, as well as trade associations, from any civil action “resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse” of a firearm or ammunition. The act lists six exceptions where civil suits may be maintained but otherwise requires that lawsuits, pending at the time of enactment, brought by shooting victims and municipalities “be immediately dismissed by the court in which the action was brought or is currently pending.”
