ABA Resolution 604 and Civil Liability for Gun Companies — Summary of PLCAA, FIRAs, and Supreme Court Developments
New ABA Resolution on Civil Liability for Gun Companies — Summary & Key Points Canonical Source: Duke Center for Firearms Law – Second Thoughts Blog Author: Dru Stevenson, South Texas College of Law Houston Publication Date: March 2026 Abstract This post summarizes my recent analysis published at the Duke Center for Firearms Law regarding the American Bar Association’s new Resolution 604, which urges repeal of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) and encourages states to adopt Firearm Industry Responsibility Acts (FIRAs). The article explains how the Supreme Court’s 2025 decision in Smith & Wesson v. Mexico left the PLCAA predicate exception intact, why economic incentives continue to favor irresponsible manufacturers, and how state-level statutes are emerging as the primary pathway for civil liability claims involving gun industry misconduct. Key Points Concept Summary ABA Resol...