March 17, 2025 – Renzulli Law Firm obtained a complete litigation victory for one its firearms dealer clients (the “Dealer”).  The lawsuit concerned an attempted murder by a then-employee of the Dealer (the “Shooter”) of the Shooter’s ex-fiancé and her boss (“Plaintiffs”) inside of the boss’s residential trailer.  Plaintiffs’ claims against the Dealer were based on the theory that the Dealer negligently hired and supervised the Shooter and provided him with the firearm and ammunition used in the attempted murder.

Renzulli Law Firm filed a motion to dismiss on behalf of the Dealer.  The motion to dismiss set forth the numerous reasons why Plaintiffs’ claims against the Dealer were baseless.  First, Plaintiffs’ claims were barred by the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (“PLCAA”), a federal law that provides immunity to firearms dealers for harm caused by the criminal acts of third parties. Second, Plaintiffs’ claims were barred by a similar state law that provides immunity to firearms dealers for lawsuits based on crimes committed by third parties with firearms. Third, Plaintiffs failed to state a claim under applicable state law, including because the Dealer did not owe, or beach, a duty to Plaintiffs to prevent the third-party criminal acts of the Shooter and because Plaintiffs’ harm was caused by the intervening and independent criminal acts of the Shooter, not the Dealer.

After reviewing Renzulli Law Firm’s motion to dismiss, Plaintiffs conceded that there was no valid basis for opposing the motion.  Thus, Plaintiffs filed no response to the motion to dismiss and agreed to dismiss their claims with prejudice against the Dealer.  Renzulli Law Firm was able to achieve this complete victory for the Dealer at a very early point in the lawsuit, avoiding the costs and burdens of protracted litigation.

Renzulli Law Firm will continue to defend industry clients in products liability and other litigation around the country. If you have any questions, please contact John F. Renzulli or Christopher Renzulli.