January 31, 2000
Web posted at: 7:47 PM EST (0047 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A meeting between gun industry representatives and municipalities involved in lawsuits against the firearms industry was canceled after members of the Clinton administration said they, too, would attend.

The meeting had been scheduled for January 21 in Las Vegas after the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show -- an annual event known as the "Shot Show."

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo said Monday he had planned to attend the meeting in Las Vegas, but it was called off when some of the gun manufacturers backed out.

Bob Delfay of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, an industry group, said the meeting was canceled because gun industry representatives did not want administration officials involved in the discussions.

"It was the White House insistence on getting involved which has caused the discussions to be placed on hold," Delfay said.

Delfay said parties to nearly 30 lawsuits that have been filed against gun manufacturers and distributors since 1998 have been meeting since last summer. He said they devised a "structure" to continue meeting to discuss the lawsuits. The canceled meeting was to have been a follow-up to prior meetings. Eight people were to attend: four from the firearms industry and four from municipalities or states. Attorney General Eliot Spitzer of New York had played a role in organizing the talks.

The Office of Housing and Urban Development has been supporting cities in their efforts to sue gun makers. If those suits cannot be resolved through negotiations, then HUD is prepared to file suit as well, through housing authorities in cities, Cuomo said.

At this point, he added, "I still believe there is a chance of success, but I don't think we're there yet." Cuomo said the administration is continuing discussions with individual gun manufacturers. He declined to identify them.

Cuomo made the comments Monday, when he announced an initiative designed to help communities track gun violence and promote gun safety.