Relatives of those killed in the 2021 Boulder shooting accuse the company of irresponsible marketing of the firearm used in the massacre.
Relatives of five more victims killed in the 2021 shooting at a Colorado supermarket have filed a lawsuit against gun manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Co., accusing the company of irresponsibly marketing the firearm used in the attack. The lawsuit, which adds to earlier litigation filed this month, targets the company’s AR-556 pistol, claiming it was marketed in a way that promoted its killing potential and glorified mass shootings.
The legal action, filed on Thursday, is expected to be officially submitted in Superior Court in Stamford, Connecticut, this week. It follows a previous lawsuit filed on March 14 by the son of a sixth victim. The families of the victims argue that Sturm, Ruger & Co. marketed the weapon recklessly, knowing its potential for misuse in violent acts, and that such marketing tactics were both “reckless” and “immoral.” The lawsuits seek unspecified damages and are expected to be merged into one case.
Andrew Garza, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, stated, “We’re interested in pursuing justice for all the families and holding Ruger accountable.” The six victims whose relatives are now suing the company include Suzanne Fountain, Neven Stanisic, Denny Stong, Lynn Murray, Jody Waters, and Kevin Mahoney.
This lawsuit is part of a broader effort to hold gun manufacturers accountable for their role in mass shootings. It draws parallels to a similar lawsuit against Remington Arms filed by the families of victims from the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, which resulted in a $73 million settlement last year.
Although gun manufacturers are generally protected from liability under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) passed in 2005, there is an exception allowing lawsuits related to the marketing of firearms. The gunman who carried out the March 22, 2021, attack at the King Soopers supermarket legally purchased the Ruger AR-556, according to investigators.
Representatives for Sturm, Ruger & Co. have yet to respond to requests for comment on the latest legal action.
