Bushmaster Firearms, Inc.

Bushmaster Firearms Inc. is a manufacturer and distributor of guns which is based in Windham, Maine in the United States.

The company participated in a $2.5 million settlement for survivors and families of victims of the Beltway sniper attacks that took place during three weeks of October 2002 in the eastern United States. Ten people were killed and three others critically injured by spree killers in and around Washington D.C..

The attacks were carried out with a Bushmaster XM-15 semiautomatic .223 caliber rifle, the civilian equivalent of the U.S. military's M-16 assault rifle, at a range of 50 to over 100 yards. The rifle came from Bull's Eye Shooter Supply in Tacoma, Washington, which had an extensive history of firearms violations and had not reported the rifle as missing which was required by federal law.

On January 16, 2003, the Legal Action Project of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, on behalf of the victims of the Beltway sniper attacks and their families, filed a civil lawsuit against Bull's Eye Shooter Supply and Bushmaster Firearms, Inc., as well as Bull's Eye's owner, and the two snipers. Bushmaster was included in the suit because it allegedly continued to utilize Bull's Eye as its dealer despite an awareness of its negligent practices.

The case had been set for trial in April, 2005. After losing several decisions as the case made its way through the courts, Bull's Eye and Bushmaster contributed to an out-of-court $2.5 million settlement. According to the Legal Center, it was agreed that "Bushmaster will also educate its dealers on safer business practices. The settlement is the first time a gun manufacturer has ever paid damages for negligence leading to criminal violence and the largest settlement by a gun dealer ever."

After the settlement was announced, WTOP radio in Washington, DC, reported that Sonia Wills, mother of sniper victim Conrad Johnson, said her family took part in the lawsuit more to send a message than to collect money. "I think a message was delivered that you should be responsible and accountable for the actions of irresponsible people when you make these guns and put them in their hands," she said. [1]

References

• Bushmaster Firearms, Inc. official website
• Pair Seized in Sniper Attacks; Gun in Car Tied to 11 Shootings, Washington Post, October 24, 2002
• Interactive map of the shootings, Washington Post