Supreme Court turns away challenge to New York firearms liability law

Source: NBC News

June 15, 2026, 10:17 AM EDT


WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a challenge to a New York law that sets out a legal pathway to hold gunmakers accountable for harm caused by their weapons. The court’s decision not to intervene means the 2021 law remains in effect. It allows for various legal claims against gun manufacturers under state law, including alleged conduct that endangers the public health of New Yorkers.

The law, which was immediately challenged in court after being enacted, was written specifically to circumvent a 2005 federal law called the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act that created a liability shield for gunmakers.

It could still face future legal challenges.

The court’s conservative majority generally backs gun rights, and as recently as last year invoked the same federal law in throwing out a novel lawsuit brought by the Mexican government against gun manufacturers. The legal challenge to the New York law was brought by various gunmakers, including Glock and Smith & Wesson, as well as the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-turns-away-challenge-new-york-firearms-liability-law-rcna349068