(a) Any manufacturer, importer, or dealer of a firearm who can be shown by a preponderance of the evidence to have knowingly and willfully engaged in the illegal sale of a firearm shall be held strictly liable in tort, without regard to fault and without regard to either: (1) an intent to interfere with a legally protected interest; or (2) a breach of duty to exercise reasonable care, for all direct and consequential damages that arise from bodily injury or death if the bodily injury or death proximately results from the discharge of the firearm in the District of Columbia, regardless of whether or not the person operating the firearm is the original, illegal purchaser.
(b) Any individual who can be shown by a preponderance of the evidence to have knowingly and willfully engaged in the illegal sale, loan, lease, or rental of a firearm for money or anything of value shall be held strictly liable in tort, without regard to fault and without regard to either: (1) an intent to interfere with a legally protected interest; or (2) a breach of duty to exercise reasonable care, for all direct and consequential damages that arise from bodily injury or death if the bodily injury or death proximately results from the discharge of the firearm in the District of Columbia regardless of whether or not the person operating the firearm is the original, illegal purchaser.
(c) Nothing in this unit shall relieve from liability any person who commits a crime, is negligent, or who might otherwise be liable for acts committed with the firearm.
(June 11, 1992, D.C. Law 9-115, § 3, 39 DCR 3182.)
1981 Ed., § 6-2382.
Application of Law 9-115: See Historical and Statutory Notes following § 7-2531.01.
Structure District of Columbia Code
Title 7 - Human Health Care and Safety
Subchapter II - Firearms and Destructive Devices
Subchapter III - Estates Containing Firearms
Subchapter IV - Licensing of Firearms Businesses
Subchapter V - Sale and Transfer of Firearms, Destructive Devices, and Ammunition
Subchapter VI - Possession of Ammunition
Subchapter VII - Miscellaneous Provisions
Subchapter VIII - Gun Offender Registry
Subchapter IX - Licenses to Carry a Pistol
Subchapter X - Extreme Risk Protection Orders