Newtown Families to See Shooter's Computer in Gun Suit

Remington faces accusation it marketed rifle to at-risk civilians
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Feb 13, 2020 5:56 PM CST
Sandy Hook Families Will Have a Look at Gunman's Computer
Det. Barbara J. Mattson of the Connecticut State Police holds up a Bushmaster AR-15 rifle, the make and model of gun used in the Sandy Hook School shooting, at a legislative hearing in 2013.   (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)

Families of those killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting will have access to the shooter's computer as part of their lawsuit against gun maker Remington. A state Superior Court judge in Waterbury, Connecticut, signed off on a stipulated agreement Thursday between the families and Remington that will allow a forensic computer expert to examine Adam Lanzas' computer and present digital images of his findings to both sides. The families are looking for evidence of Lanza's exposure to advertisements for weapons, the AP reports. Remington, based in Madison, North Carolina, is accused of violating the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act by marketing its Bushmaster XM15-E2S rifle to civilians.

Lanza used the gun, which was owned by his mother, in a rampage that started with her and ended when he killed 20 first graders and six educators inside the Newtown, Connecticut, school. The plaintiffs' lawyer, Joshua Koskoff, has accused the company of targeting younger, at-risk males through "militaristic marketing and astute product placement in violent first-person shooter games." One of Remington's ads features the rifle against a plain backdrop and the words: "Consider Your Man Card Reissued." The AR-15's design is based on the military M-16. There are now an estimated 16 million AR-platform long guns in the US. The lawsuit is expected to go to trial in 2021.

(More Sandy Hook stories.)

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