While the United states Armed Forces (private mercenaries) are in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Iraq, the Philippines and west Africa defending “all freedom-loving people everywhere in the world”—the ostensibly pro-State sovereignty—Republican (fascist/socialist) President George W. Bush signs the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, preempting state courts from hearing civil liability suits against gun manufacturers.

       NOTE: The 2004 Republican Party Platform contained the following passages:

• Our leaders must make sure that the growth of the federal government remains in check.
• We must maintain our commitment to free and fair trade, lower taxes, limited regulation, and a limited, efficient government that keeps up with the new realities of a changing world.
• We endorse creating a commission to evaluate discretionary spending on federal agencies and programs to ensure that taxpayer Funds are being used for the best, most efficient purposes.  Such a commission would determine whether certain programs are duplicative, wasteful or inefficient, outdated or irrelevant, or failed.  It would recommend to Congress programs that could be terminated.

       The editors firmly oppose both holding gun manufacturers responsible for the irresponsible actions of those who possess guns as well as Federal interference with State courts; what the editors do support is severely punishing those who use a gun to violate the rights of others.

       [added 1/27/2024] Thanks to Bill Holmes, Jim Lorenz and Chuck McGlawn for this entry.