Gun settlement pleases families Group accused Maine firm of selling to irresponsible dealer

WASHINGTON – Relatives of six people shot in the 2002 sniper shootings and two survivors said Thursday that they hope their $2.5 million settlement will force gun makers and dealers to keep closer track of the weapons they make and sell.

The settlement marks the first time a gun manufacturer has agreed to pay damages for negligence leading to a crime, according to the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, which helped the families file the suit.

Sonia Wills, mother of sniper victim Conrad Johnson, said her family took part in the lawsuit more to send a message than to collect money from Bushmaster Firearms and Bull’s Eye Shooter Supply.

“I think a message was delivered that you should be responsible and accountable for the actions of irresponsible people when you make these guns and put them in their hands,” she said.

Eight families settled Wednesday with Bushmaster Firearms, which made the rifle used in the shootings, and Bull’s Eye Shooter Supply, of Tacoma, Wash., the gun shop where the rifle was stolen. The lawsuit claimed Bull’s Eye was negligent for allowing the gun and others to disappear from its shop. The suit also faulted Bushmaster for selling the weapon to a dealer that the families claimed was irresponsible.

Authorities believe John Lee Malvo and John Allen Muhammad stole the gun from Bull’s Eye and later used it during their spree. Both were convicted of murder in trials last year.

Bushmaster did not admit fault and said Thursday that the settlement was not a victory for gun advocates. In a statement from its headquarters in Windham, Maine, the company said it supports federal laws requiring dealers to be licensed and it would not change corporate practices because of the lawsuit.

Bushmaster said it settled because of escalating legal fees and the dwindling amount of insurance money it had left for the case.

“We felt the compassionate thing to do was to give it to the victim’s families,” the statement said.

But gun control advocates said it was ridiculous that the company was painting itself as compassionate.

“It is utterly far-fetched to believe that this is the act of a good Samaritan company,” said Dennis Henigan, legal director for the Brady Center.

Relatives said they were unsure what they would do with the settlement money. Wills said she may build a small memorial to her son at his birthplace in Jamaica.

The deal still has to be approved by a judge and the individual payment amounts have yet to be determined. Bull’s Eye has agreed to pay $2 million and Bushmaster will pay $550,000 under the settlement.

Victoria Snider, a sister of sniper victim James L. “Sonny” Buchanan, said some of the money might go to a charitable foundation called Sonny’s Kids, which was established to provide scholarships and other assistance to children. Snider said the family did not settle in order to make money.

“No amount of money can bring my brother back. I wish that was the case,” she said.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit were the relatives of Johnson, Buchanan, Hong Im Ballenger, Premkumar Walekar, Sarah Ramos, Linda Franklin, and two survivors – Rupinder Oberoi and Iran Brown.