Newtown Families Seek To Reinstate Lawsuit Against Gun Maker
HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The families of some of the victims killed in the 2012 Newtown school shooting are trying to reinstate their wrongful-death lawsuit against the company that made the semiautomatic rifle used in the massacre.
Lawyers for a survivor and relatives of nine who died filed papers Tuesday asking the state Supreme Court to hear their appeal.
"I'm bringing this appeal for our dead son," said Ian Hockley, whose 6-year-old son, Dylan, was killed in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. "He never stood a chance because he stared down the barrel of a military grade weapon."
A judge dismissed the lawsuit against Remington Arms in October, citing a federal law that shields gun manufacturers from most lawsuits over criminal use of their products.
Josh Koskoff, a lawyer for the families, says the state Supreme Court can take cases of great public importance.
"The issues raised in this case are obviously very important and are of great public interest as well," Koskoff said.
On Dec. 14, 2012, Adam Lanza killed 20 first-graders and six educators with a Remington-made rifle. The lawsuit says the Madison, North Carolina-based company should not have sold such a dangerous weapon to the public.
Remington's lawyers dispute the allegations and expect the appeal to be dismissed. Remington Outdoor Co. was previously known as Freedom Group.
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