L.A. Jewish Center Rampage Families Sue
Gun Makers

By Jill Serjeant

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Families of the victims of an extremist’s 1999
shooting spree at a Los Angeles Jewish Center on Wednesday filed what
lawyers called a groundbreaking lawsuit against gun makers — saying they
should be held responsible.

The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges that six firearms
manufacturers are liable for “public nuisance and negligence.”

Three young boys, a teenage girl and a 68-year-old woman were wounded in
the Aug. 10 rampage at the North Valley Jewish Community Center in the
Los Angeles suburb of Granada Hills. A Philippines-born postman was shot
dead minutes after the attack in a nearby suburb.

Avowed white supremacist Buford Furrow, 38, has pleaded not guilty on 16
counts of murder, weapons offenses and hate crimes. His trial is expected to
take place in February.

“This is groundbreaking. We are alleging that gun manufacturers
indiscriminately distribute their products to criminals,” said Joshua Horwitz,
executive director of the Educational Fund to End Handgun Violence, and
one of the lawyers representing the families.

“The nonchalant manner in which these firearm manufacturers distribute their
products has resulted in needless death and injury,” Horwitz added.

The manufacturers named in the lawsuit include Glock Inc, China North
Industries Corp, Davis Industries, Republic Arms Inc, Maadi, and Bush
Firearms. Weapons made by them were among those allegedly recovered
during searches of Furrow’s property.

The lawsuit charges that the manufacturers regularly supply arms to dealers
who have high numbers of guns used in crimes traced to them and fail to take
steps such as limiting multiple sales, to prevent criminals and other
unauthorized people from obtaining guns.

The suit was filed by the families of two of the young boys wounded, the
family of the teenage girl who was shot and the family of slain postal worker
Joseph Ileto. It also includes a class action on the grounds of emotional
damage on behalf of the more than 100 people present during last year’s
attack.

An undisclosed amount of damages are sought but Horwitz said the families
were more concerned about effecting changes in the firearms industry than
monetary gain.

“The families are very concerned about stopping practices that allow this
kind of thing to happen. Their main goal is to stop the indiscriminate use of
guns,” said Horwitz.

“There are many ways to prevent people like Furrow taking advantage of
this market. We think manufacturers have a responsibility and a duty to take
more care of who is selling these guns,” said Horwitz. He cited multiple gun
sales and the secondary market in pawn shops and gun shows.

The Jewish Center shooting spree was one of a rash of deadly shootings in
American schools and workplaces last year and was a catalyst for a “Million
Moms” march in Washington, D.C. in May in which women called en masse
for greater gun control.

During his year in pretrial custody, Furrow has allegedly threatened to kill his
team of public defenders and has also threatened the life of a Latino jail
inmate, according to prosecution court papers.

The court papers said that Furrow, who has a history of mental problems,
had written threatening letters and had to be restrained during at least one
meeting with his lawyers.