Sanders and Clinton Spar on Gun Manufacturer Immunity

Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton sparred over the issue of whether gun manufacturers should have immunity against lawsuits when people use their weapons illegally.

Some families of victims in the December 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting are suing the manufacturer of the AR-15 rifle that was used to killed 20 children and six adults. Lawyers for gun manufacturer Remington and other defendants are seeking for the lawsuit to be dismissed.

Much of the lawsuit is centered on whether the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act grants the AR-15 manufacturer, distributor and seller immunity from a civil lawsuit after the weapon was used to kill at the school.

Clinton said that she voted against the bill that gave gun makers immunity when she was a senator. Sanders voted in favor of it, according to the Washington Post transcript of the debate.

"I voted against giving them immunity, but I think we should very seriously move to repeal that and go back to making sure gun makers and sellers are like any other business," Clinton said. "They can be held accountable."

Sanders said during the debate held in Flint, Michigan that suing manufacturers is the equivalent of saying there shouldn't be any guns in America.

Related: Gun Manufacturer Seeks Dismissal of Sandy Hook Shooting Lawsuit

"...what you're really talking about is ending gun manufacturing in America. I don't agree with that," Sanders said, according to the Washington Post transcript of the debate.

He added that more can be done to prevent mass shootings in the country, but that going after manufacturers and sellers who legally sell to someone who goes on to commit a crime isn't the best way.

Clinton said the suing families are trying their best to prevent enough mass shooting.

"...the gun manufacturers sell guns to make as much money as they can make," she said.

Clinton also said that no other industry has such broad immunity and that other products kill people.

Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore, Flickr, used under Creative Commons