The city of Gary, Indiana, won a critical victory last fall when a judge ordered gun manufacturers to hand over years of production and sales records in response to a lawsuit filed almost 25 years ago. However, in March, Governor Eric Holcomb signed a new law retroactively banning cities from bringing such lawsuits, effectively halting the case. Republicans argued that the gun industry is not responsible for illegal sales, while critics believe the legislation demonstrates lawmakers’ lack of concern for ending gun crime and reflects apathy towards Gary’s majority Black population.
Gary, located just east of Chicago, is more racially diverse than the rest of Indiana, with a mostly Black population. The city is one of Indiana’s few Democratic strongholds and has been suing major gun manufacturers and sellers since the 1990s in response to high levels of violent crime. While other cities’ cases were dropped, Gary’s lawsuit continued, leading to the recent court order for manufacturers to produce business records spanning decades. However, Indiana’s Republican-dominated Legislature swiftly passed a new law preventing cities from taking such legal action against firearm or ammunition manufacturers.
State Representative Chris Jeter, who authored the legislation, expressed concerns about the costs imposed on firearms manufacturers by the court’s order and stated that the companies should not be held liable for illegal sales. Describing the new law as an effort to prevent the use of the court system against gun manufacturers, Jeter openly acknowledged that the legislation was aimed at halting Gary’s lawsuit. The Democratic minority in the Indiana Legislature criticized the law for favoring firearms companies, with State Rep. Ragen Hatcher calling it a “slap in the face” for attorneys and judges involved in the case.
Following the passage of the new law, gun manufacturers requested the court to dismiss Gary’s lawsuit, leading to a stay on discovery to resolve the conflict with the legislation. Attorneys representing the defendants either did not respond to media inquiries or declined to comment on the case. Many of the companies named in the lawsuit are affiliated with the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which advocates for the firearms and ammunition industries at the state and national levels. The Brady Center, a national organization supporting gun control policies, is representing Gary in the lawsuit and plans to challenge the new state law.
For residents and officials in Gary, the potential end of the lawsuit highlights the evolution in the firearms industry and the ongoing impact of gun violence. Changes in technology over the past two decades have made it easier to modify and resell illegal guns, contributing to the rise in violent crime. Gary’s Deputy Police Chief noted the trend of younger offenders using illegally obtained firearms. Despite the longevity of the case, some residents worry about the prevalence of guns in their city and the increasing levels of gun violence nationwide. Discussions about addressing gun violence and implementing effective laws remain crucial for communities like Gary.
