Gun Industry Accountability Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 8, 1999

Gun Industry Accountability Act - Provides that in any civil action by a State or local government against a manufacturer of firearms to recover damages relating to the sale, distribution, use, or misuse of a firearm (including gun violence) within the State or local governmental area, the State or local government may recover Federal damages associated with the claim. Bars the State or local government from recovering Federal damages with respect to which the Attorney General files an action against a firearms manufacturer. Sets forth procedures regarding actions brought by a State or local government, including notice of civil action, entry of appearance, effect of failure to enter an appearance or proceed with the action, prevention of dual recovery of Federal damages (if there is a conflict between a State and one or more local governments within the State), and dismissal or compromise. Establishes a formula for the distribution and use of Federal damages recovered by a State or local government.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ] · D–NJ

Committees

Judiciary Committee

3 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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

Mar 8, 1999
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Mar 8, 1999
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2412)
Mar 8, 1999
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in Senate · Mar 8, 1999 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.560 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.

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Discuss S.560, 106th Congress: Gun Industry Accountability Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/560

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-03-08.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s560/BILLS-106s560is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:53:36Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.560 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.560 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

Discuss S.560, 106th Congress: Gun Industry Accountability Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/560

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-03-08.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s560/BILLS-106s560is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:53:36Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.560 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.560 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

Discuss S.560, 106th Congress: Gun Industry Accountability Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/560

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-03-08.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s560/BILLS-106s560is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:53:36Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.560 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.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.560 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

Discuss S.560, 106th Congress: Gun Industry Accountability Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/560

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-03-08.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s560/BILLS-106s560is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:53:36Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.560 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.