If the federal government can order the mandatory recall of defective vehicles, why can’t it order the mandatory recall of defective and potentially deadly firearms? At this time, as a matter of law, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) — and for that matter, no government agency — has the power to demand the recall of a defective gun.
If Representative Debbie Dingell from Michigan has her way, however, the Consumer Product Safety Commission may one day be able to issue recall orders and safety warnings pertaining to firearms it deems to be a risk to public safety. Dingell has introduced a piece of legislation that — if passed — would allow Congress to do just that.
Debbie Dingell’s husband is the reason why the CPSC can’t recall guns
Interestingly enough, when Congress created the CPSC in 1972, one of the leading advocates to excluding the safety regulation of guns was actually Debbie Dingell’s husband, Representative John Dingell. Now, approximately 45 years later, Mrs. Dingell has spearheaded a different view on the topic, “…if a firearm is found to be defective or pose a safety risk, nothing can be done to address it.” She further said, “This legislation will help ensure that defective and unsafe guns are addressed immediately so we can prevent accidents that can turn deadly.
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence agrees with the representative, saying that the new legislation would help protect consumers from malfunctioning weapons. Brady Campaign Co-President Kris Brown said, “Representative Dingell’s bill would remove a loophole that never should have existed in the first place.”
Could help the CPSC issue a mandatory recall of the Remington Model 700
Dingell’s proposed legislation would allow the CPSC to issue a recall of dangerous firearms like the Remington Model 700. The Model 700 has caused countless deaths over the years due to a trigger defect that causes it to spontaneously fire. Nevertheless, the CPSC is currently powerless to protect consumers from this defective and deadly firearm. Even worse, Remington brazenly continues to manufacture this defective weapon without modifying its design to protect consumers.
Were you or a family member hurt by a defective firearm?
Even though CPSC can’t issue recalls relating to deadly firearms, consumers who are hurt by gun defects are not powerless under the law. If you or a family member suffered injuries — or if your family member was killed — because of a defective gun, learn about your legal rights and options.