Sandy Hook Families' Suit a Go After SCOTUS Decision

Family members of the children killed in the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School are free to move forward with their lawsuit against gun-maker Remington. The Supreme Court said Tuesday it wouldn't hear the case, meaning a March ruling by the Connecticut Supreme Court stands, per CNBC. In a 4-3 decision, the lower court ruled that family members are "entitled to have the opportunity to prove their wrongful marketing allegations" against Remington, including their claim that the company advertised the AR-15-style weapon used by shooter Adam Lanza "as a highly lethal weapon designed for purposes that are illegal—namely, killing other human beings."

The families say they're "grateful" for the Supreme Court decision, which thwarts Remington's "latest attempt to avoid accountability," despite it appealing to "high-risk users at the expense of Americans' safety," per CNN. There's been no statement from Remington, which argued the ruling could "eviscerate" protections provided for gun manufacturers under 2005's Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. The law guards gun-makers against liability for crimes committed with their products but excludes companies that knowingly violate the law through marketing practices. CNN reports the case "could open the door to gun violence victims' families suing gun manufacturers for damages." (More Sandy Hook stories.)