CO Democrat proposes liability for assault weapons

Sellers and owners of assault weapons could be liable for damages caused by shootings under a bill proposed by Colorado’s Democratic Senate president.

The bill is being introduced in the state Senate on Wednesday. Colorado Springs Sen. John Morse says his goal is to make assault weapon owners and sellers responsible for what he calls dangerous weapons.

Critics of Morse’s bill say it’s a backdoor way to ban assault weapons. Republicans have also said Morse’s idea may conflict with a 2005 federal law that protects gun makers and sellers from liability for crimes committed with their products.

The bill is part of a package of Democratic proposals in response to recent mass shootings.

Morse says jurors would decide whether sellers or owners should be held liable in individual cases.