Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9298
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-11: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-01T08:08:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation amends the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) to strengthen and clarify liability protections for firearms manufacturers, sellers, and trade associations. Its goal is to limit lawsuits arising from the criminal or unlawful misuse of firearms and related products.
Key Provisions
- Immediate dismissal of pending cases: Requires courts to dismiss any qualified civil liability actions pending when the bill becomes law.
- Broadened definitions: Expands the term "qualified product" to include firearms, ammunition, and accessories such as magazines, clips, and optical devices. Redefines "qualified civil liability action" to cover most civil claims against manufacturers, sellers, or trade associations based on misuse by third parties.
- Narrow exceptions: Allows limited claims for negligent entrustment, breach of contract or warranty, certain statutory violations that directly cause harm, or product defects when used as intended, but excludes claims based on nuisance or general negligence.
- Procedural changes: Permits defendants to remove cases from state to federal court, requires plaintiffs to plead exceptions with particular facts, grants defendants an immediate appeal of denied dismissal motions, and awards attorney's fees to prevailing defendants.
- Preemption of state laws: Overrides state and local laws that impose liability on the gun industry for criminal misuse of products.
- Foreign governments barred: Prohibits foreign states or governments from bringing such lawsuits in U.S. courts.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill replaces the prior PLCAA framework with a more expansive immunity rule, adds a new removal and dismissal procedure section, and introduces preemption language that targets both specific and generally applicable state laws. It also updates core definitions to restrict what counts as "engaged in the business" and clarifies "proximate cause" as direct injury from the defendant's conduct.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Limits federal enforcement actions to those brought by the Attorney General under specific statutes; state and local governments lose ability to pursue certain liability claims.
- Citizens: Makes it more difficult for individuals harmed by gun violence to recover damages from manufacturers or sellers unless a narrow exception applies.
- International relations: Prevents foreign governments from suing U.S. gun companies in American courts for harms linked to firearms.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Firearms manufacturers, importers, dealers, and trade associations.
- Individuals and families affected by gun violence.
- State and local governments seeking to regulate or sue the industry.
- Federal courts handling removed cases.
- Foreign states or governments.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill strengthens federal preemption of state tort and liability laws, which may raise federalism questions regarding the balance between national and state authority. It also introduces heightened pleading requirements and interlocutory appeal rights that could affect access to courts and litigation costs. The prohibition on foreign government suits adds an explicit bar on certain international claims.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (15)
Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6], Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3], Rep. Crank, Jeff [R-CO-5], Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8], Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3], Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10], Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6], Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4], Rep. Jack, Brian [R-GA-3], Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-11: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-06-11: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act — issued 2026-06-11 — PDF (13 pages)