Nate Raymond

(Reuters] – On Thursday, a group of gun distributors, manufacturers and retailers sued the New York State law that allowed the state and victims of gun violence to sue.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation and gun manufacturers, including Smith & Wesson and Sturm, Ruger & Co, said in a lawsuit filed in federal court in Syracuse that the state was impermissibly trying to regulate out-of-state gun sales.

According to the trade association and 14 businesses, the state said it is doing this through an innovative measure signed by former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo in July. This law seeks out legal obstacles that had largely prevented the issuance of such lawsuits.

Glock Inc., Beretta USA and other gun companies are also being sued.

Letitia James, New York’s Attorney General, vowed that she would defend the law. She claimed the gun lobby was trying to control the country completely and stop common-sense attempts to protect people.

This law was passed amid mass shootings across the country. The law allows gun sellers, distributors, and manufacturers to be sued by cities, the state and individuals for “public nuisance”, which is endangering the safety or health of the public.

Gun industry groups argue that the law infringes on the rights of companies that sell, market or manufacture guns and ammunition used by New York criminals.

Plaintiffs claim that the New York law violates the U.S. Constitution. The suit seeks to invalidate a 2005 federal law (the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act), which provides protection for gun makers from suits over products they misuse.

The group also claimed that the measure violates due process rights of gun companies and unconstitutionally regulates interstate commerce.