“Available 0 – 60 Approx. 3 seconds. GM Estimates” On-line ad for the new electric GMC Hummer.

    As soon as someone is injured or killed in wreck caused by a speeding Hummer, I expect GMC to have to pay millions to the survivors, based on a recent court settlement by Remington Arms.

    In that court case that sets a precedent, the judge allowed plaintiffs to sue based on advertising by Remington.  The case said Remington attracted an unhinged individual that bought one of their guns and shot students at a school.

    I have several Remington guns, including a 12-gauge semiautomatic I have shot doves with since I was 14 years old. I also have a .223 semiautomatic, a so-called “assault style weapon,” set up for deer hunting. Those guns are only as dangerous as the person using them.

    Holding a business responsible for actions of fools that buy their products is ridiculous, no matter how much you hate that business.  Dick Poleman in his weekend Griffin Daily News editorial crowed “Sandy Hook Parents Beat the Gun Merchants.”  No doubt he feels all manufacturers should be “beat“ by the same standards. NOT. Well, maybe he does since his editorials indicate he hates capitalism.

    So many gun hating groups tried to sue gun manufacturers out of business a few years ago Congress had to protect them from such suits.  Those lawsuits tried to hold gun manufacturers liable for the way their products were used. And many of the groups admitted their goal was to end gun manufacturing in the US.

    Now they have another tactic, go after them for advertising.  Any fair person would ask if all manufacturers will be held to the same standards.  Or was this just one liberal judge making a legal decision based on his prejudices against guns.

    Remington settled for many millions of dollars to end this suit. Of course, the lawyers will probably get at least half, encouraging them to file more such suits.  I wish Remington had kept fighting. Our legal system is stupid when it means it cost a business more to fight for what is right rather than giving lawyers a pile of money.

    What business will be sued next for their advertising? Someone burns down a building using charcoal lighter fluid that advertise “fast lighting?”  A shoe company after someone steps off building wearing their shoes that “make it feel like you are walking on air?”

    This is similar to holding tobacco companies liable for people smoking and drug companies for people getting addicted to drugs.  Seems like there is no personal responsibility for anything in our modern society.

    How sad. And how dangerous.