Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act

This bill would strengthen existing federal protections that limit lawsuits against firearm manufacturers, sellers, and trade associations for harm caused by someone else's criminal or unlawful use of their products. It would require dismissal of covered lawsuits that are pending when the law takes effect, while keeping certain exceptions such as claims for negligent entrustment or against a seller convicted of unlawfully transferring a firearm.

This affects firearm manufacturers, dealers, and trade associations and their employees, people and governments that bring or plan to bring lawsuits over firearm-related harm, and the courts that would apply the new standard.

If it passes, many current and future lawsuits against the firearms industry would be dismissed or blocked, and prevailing defendants could recover attorney fees and court costs. Supporters describe the targeted suits as frivolous public nuisance claims, while critics say the change would remove an avenue for accountability and limit options for people harmed by firearms.