The Supreme Court declined on June 15, 2026, to hear a challenge from gun manufacturers regarding New York's law that permits civil lawsuits against gun manufacturers, wholesalers, and dealers. This decision leaves in place a lower court ruling that upheld the law.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation, along with major manufacturers such as Smith & Wesson and Glock, argued that New York's law contradicts a federal statute meant to protect gun companies from liability when their products are misused in crimes. New York's law, enacted in 2021 by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo, allows state and local governments, as well as private citizens, to sue members of the gun industry for actions that threaten public safety. It mandates that gun businesses implement reasonable measures to prevent illegal gun trafficking and other unlawful sales practices.
New York Attorney General Letitia James defended the law, stating it provides victims and communities a means to hold irresponsible gun industry actors accountable. In contrast, gun rights advocates and manufacturers contend that the law seeks to bypass federal protections and impose undue burdens on lawful businesses.
The case reflects a trend, as at least ten other states have enacted similar laws since 2021, allowing lawsuits against gun companies for alleged failures in preventing firearms from entering illegal markets. These states include New Jersey, Delaware, California, Colorado, Illinois, Hawaii, Maryland, Washington, and Connecticut. Virginia also joined this trend in 2026 with new legislation aimed at holding firearms manufacturers accountable for unlawful business practices. Although the Supreme Court has declined to hear this challenge, New York's law and similar legislation may still face future legal scrutiny.