PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.2037 / 107th Congress

Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 456.

Official summary

Version 19 · Reported to House amended, Part II · Oct 8, 2002

Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act - Prohibits in any Federal or State court a civil liability action brought by any person against a manufacturer or seller of a qualified product (firearm or ammunition), or a trade association, for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of such product by the person or a third party. Requires immediate dismissal of any such action pending on the date of enactment of this Act. Excludes from such prohibition (thus allows) any action: (1) brought against a transferor convicted under Federal or State law by a party directly harmed by the conduct of which the transferee is so convicted; (2) brought against a seller for negligent entrustment or negligence per se; (3) where a manufacturer or seller of a qualified product knowingly and willfully violated a State or Federal statute applicable to the sale or marketing of the product, and the violation was a proximate cause of the harm for which relief is sought; (4) for breach of contract or warranty in connection with the purchase of the product; or (5) for physical injuries or property damage resulting directly from a defect in design or manufacture of the product, when used as intended.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. Stearns, Cliff [R-FL-6] · R–FL

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
  • Energy and Commerce Committee
232 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 456.

  2. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 107-727, Part II.

  3. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 107-727, Part II.

  4. House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 8, 2002.

  5. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 107-727, Part I.

  6. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 107-727, Part I.

  7. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 7.

  8. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  9. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 16.

  10. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  11. Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  12. Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  13. Subcommittee Hearings Held.

  14. Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

  15. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  16. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  17. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  18. Introduced in House

  19. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2037 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2037 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2037 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2037 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources