LIABILITY/CIVIL: Provides relative to civil liability of firearm and ammunition manufacturers and distributors
HB 289 would change the legal standard for lawsuits against firearm and ammunition manufacturers and distributors. If passed, it would require plaintiffs to prove negligence (rather than strict liability) to win a civil case, making it harder to sue these companies. This bill directly affects gun manufacturers, distributors, and individuals seeking compensation for injuries linked to firearms. The bill is currently in committee review, having passed its second reading with amendments on May 6, 2025.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Apr 2, 2025
Signed Jun 8, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
HB289 Original
→
HB289 Act
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill strengthens legal protections for firearm manufacturers and sellers by explicitly stating they are not liable if a gun is used unlawfully or negligently by someone else. It also removes liability for failing to warn users about inherent risks like the potential for injury or unauthorized access. Additionally, the bill expands preemption to block local governments from suing manufacturers for damages related to the lawful design or sale of firearms.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include Representatives Romero and Carrier as sponsors, and the legal protections now explicitly cover failure to warn users of inherent risks and unauthorized access.
REQUIREMENT
Added explicit immunity for manufacturers if a firearm is used in an unlawful, negligent, or inconsistent manner.
Added immunity for manufacturers regarding the failure to install safety devices or warn users of inherent risks like unauthorized access.
ENFORCEMENT
Expanded preemption to prevent local governments from suing manufacturers for damages related to the lawful design or sale of firearms.
ELIGIBILITY
Updated sponsor list to include Representative Romero alongside Representative Carrier.
Floor votes · Senate Jun 2, 2025 · House May 12, 2025
How they voted
25–9
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 37
Jun 2, 2025
D
Democratic11
81% Nay
R
Republican26
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
19
Key actions
4
Committee
5
Jun 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Read by title, passed by a vote of 27 yeas and 9 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
May 29, 2025
Committee
Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
upper
May 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably.
upper
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 81, nays 14. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
lower
May 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported with amendments (10-2).
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure.
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Committee
Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure.
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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