Dru Stevenson, Professor of Law

In February 2026, the American Bar Association (ABA) adopted Resolution 604 ,  formally urging Congress to repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) and encouraging states to enact laws that establish standards of responsible conduct for the firearms industry. This Resolution came from the ABA Standing Committee on Gun Violence . Enacted in 2005, PLCAA grants federally licensed manufacturers, importers, and dealers of firearms broad immunity from civil liability in cases involving the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm by a third party. The ABA characterizes this statute as a significant outlier in American tort law, arguing that it removes the standard civil liability incentives that traditionally drive consumer product safety, responsible marketing, and internal compliance. Personally,  I strongly support the ABA's Resolution. As a law professor, I want to not that I am also impressed with how well-written and well-reasoned this document is. The Comm...