WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) along with Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) today released the following statement in response to a ruling by a Connecticut Superior Court judge that a lawsuit can go forward against the maker of the rifle used in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shootings. The manufacturer argued that the suit should be barred by the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, a federal statute that has given the gun industry immunity from a wide variety of civil suits.

“Today’s ruling is a good step forward for the Sandy Hook families and for all Americans who have agonized with the Newtown community since that dark day in December of 2012. The judge opened the courthouse door to allow these families to continue to plead their case. But unfortunately, for far too many families, PLCAA has been a complete barrier to justice. We won’t stop fighting until this harmful law is repealed.”