Families of victims of L.A. Jewish Center rampage sue gun makers

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -- Families of the victims of an extremist's 1999 shooting spree at a Los Angeles Jewish Center Wednesday filed what lawyers called a groundbreaking lawsuit against gun makers -- saying they should be held responsible.

The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges that six firearms manufacturers are liable for "public nuisance and negligence."

Three young boys, a teenage girl and a 68-year-old woman were wounded in the Aug. 10 rampage at the North Valley Jewish Community Center in the Los Angeles suburb of Granada Hills. A Philippines-born postman was shot dead minutes after the attack in a nearby suburb.

Avowed white supremacist Buford Furrow, 38, has pleaded not guilty on 16 counts of murder, weapons offenses and hate crimes. His trial is expected to take place in February.

"This is groundbreaking. We are alleging that gun manufacturers indiscriminately distribute their products to criminals," said Joshua Horwitz, executive director of the Educational Fund to End Handgun Violence, and one of the lawyers representing the families.

"The nonchalant manner in which these firearm manufacturers distribute their products has resulted in needless death and injury," Horwitz added.

The manufacturers named in the lawsuit include Glock Inc, China North Industries Corp, Davis Industries, Republic Arms Inc, Maadi, and Bush Firearms. Weapons made by them were among those allegedly recovered during searches of Furrow's property.

The lawsuit charges that the manufacturers regularly supply arms to dealers who have high numbers of guns used in crimes traced to them and fail to take steps such as limiting multiple sales, to prevent criminals and other unauthorized people from obtaining guns.

The suit was filed by the families of two of the young boys wounded, the family of the teenage girl who was shot and the family of slain postal worker Joseph Ileto. It also includes a class action on the grounds of emotional damage on behalf of the more than 100 people present during last year's attack.

An undisclosed amount of damages are sought but Horwitz said the families were more concerned about effecting changes in the firearms industry than monetary gain.

"The families are very concerned about stopping practices that allow this kind of thing to happen. Their main goal is to stop the indiscriminate use of guns," said Horwitz.

"There are many ways to prevent people like Furrow taking advantage of this market. We think manufacturers have a responsibility and a duty to take more care of who is selling these guns," said Horwitz. He cited multiple gun sales and the secondary market in pawn shops and gun shows.

The Jewish Center shooting spree was one of a rash of deadly shootings in American schools and workplaces last year and was a catalyst for a "Million Moms" march in Washington, D.C. in May in which women called en masse for greater gun control.

During his year in pretrial custody, Furrow has allegedly threatened to kill his team of public defenders and has also threatened the life of a Latino jail inmate, according to prosecution court papers.

The court papers said that Furrow, who has a history of mental problems, had written threatening letters and had to be restrained during at least one meeting with his lawyers.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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