Bill · H.R. 9298· House(119-HR-9298)
Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act
- Introduced
- 6/11/2026
- Last activity
- 6/11/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Derek Schmidt
- Cosponsors
- - 120 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is titled the Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act and makes changes to liability protections for firearms and associated manufacturers and retailers. It requires courts to immediately dismiss any pending qualified civil liability actions on the date of enactment, as stated in Section 2. The bill updates definitions and procedures related to lawsuits against firearm and ammunition manufacturers, sellers, and trade associations. It adds a formal procedure for moving these cases from state courts to federal district courts and mandates the dismissal of protected claims. Additionally, Section 5 outlines that the provisions of this Act explicitly preempt any state and local laws that impose liability on these manufacturers and sellers.
Yes· 3 of 5
Would business owners be better off under this?+8
Significantly reduces legal liability and allows recovery of attorney's fees for firearm business owners.
Does this give the federal government more power?+6
Expressly preempts state and local laws that impose liability on firearm manufacturers.
Does this protect the right to own guns?+6
Protects the firearm industry from lawsuits, which supports the continued availability and manufacture of firearms.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns?-8
Broadly expands immunity for firearm manufacturers, making it harder to hold them accountable via civil litigation.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-7
Reduces the authority of states to regulate and seek damages from firearm manufacturers through local laws.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?-7
Restricts the ability of consumers to sue manufacturers for damages arising from the misuse of products.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection for Minors: Section 3(6)(D) explicitly states that nothing in the Act limits the right of a person under 17 years of age to recover damages authorized under Federal or State law in a civil action that meets specific allowed exceptions. This ensures young individuals retain their rights to seek damages under those specific circumstances.
-
Specific Exceptions for Defective Products: Section 3(6)(A)(v) allows claims for death, physical injuries, or property damage that result directly from a defect in the design or manufacture of a product when it is being lawfully used as intended or in a reasonably foreseeable manner. This provision maintains a path for individuals to seek justice if they are harmed by an actual product defect.
-
Accountability for Negligent Entrustment: Section 3(6)(A)(ii) allows claims to be brought against a seller for negligent entrustment or negligence per se, which is defined under Section 3(6)(B) as supplying a product when the seller knows or reasonably should know that the person is likely to use it in a manner involving unreasonable risk of physical injury. This holds sellers accountable when they irresponsibly hand over firearms.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Immediate Dismissal of Pending Lawsuits: Section 2 requires that any qualified civil liability action pending on the date of enactment must be immediately dismissed by the court. This strips individuals currently involved in these legal actions of their pending day in court.
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Prohibition on Foreign Government Suits: Section 3(6)(E) establishes that no foreign state or government may bring a civil action or proceeding against a manufacturer, seller, or trade association regarding the criminal or unlawful misuse of a qualified product. This completely blocks foreign governments from pursuing these specific types of claims in any Federal or State court.
-
Federal Preemption of Local Laws: Section 5 states that the provisions of the Act explicitly preempt any State and local laws and regulations that impose liability on qualified product manufacturers, sellers, and trade associations for the criminal misuse of their products. This removes the ability of state and local governments to enforce their own specific laws holding these entities liable.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+8Good For Gun Owners+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+6Increase States Rights-7Improves Due Process-4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+5Improves Consumer Protection-7
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Second Amendment Protections+6Improves Gun Control Measures-8
- 10/9/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 10/6/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/21/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/16/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/15/2026
- 9 Cosponsors added.
- 9/14/2026
- 12 Cosponsors added.
- 9/10/2026
- 18 Cosponsors added.
- 9/8/2026
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- 9/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/2/2026
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 9/1/2026
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- 8/31/2026
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 8/20/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 8/10/2026
- 9 Cosponsors added.
- 7/27/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 7/23/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/22/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 7/21/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/20/2026
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- 7/14/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/13/2026
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- 6/30/2026
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 6/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/25/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/24/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 6/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/15/2026
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 6/11/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Mark AlfordRepublican · Missouri
Lauren BoebertRepublican · Colorado
Andy BarrRepublican · Kentucky
Brian BabinRepublican · Texas
Mike BostRepublican · Illinois
Jack BergmanRepublican · Michigan
Andy BiggsRepublican · Arizona
James BairdRepublican · Indiana
Tim BurchettRepublican · Tennessee
Aaron BeanRepublican · Florida
Eric BurlisonRepublican · Missouri
Josh BrecheenRepublican · Oklahoma
Sheri BiggsRepublican · South Carolina
Ken CalvertRepublican · California
Kat CammackRepublican · Florida
Earl CarterRepublican · Georgia
James ComerRepublican · Kentucky
Michael CloudRepublican · Texas
Ben ClineRepublican · Virginia
Jeff CrankRepublican · Colorado
Byron DonaldsRepublican · Florida
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Sam GravesRepublican · Missouri
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H. GriffithRepublican · Virginia
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Mark HarrisRepublican · North Carolina
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Mike KellyRepublican · Pennsylvania
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Tracey MannRepublican · Kansas
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Mary MillerRepublican · Illinois
Barry MooreRepublican · Alabama
Blake MooreRepublican · Utah
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Max MillerRepublican · Ohio
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Riley MooreRepublican · West Virginia
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Robert OnderRepublican · Missouri
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Claudia TenneyRepublican · New York
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Joe WilsonRepublican · South Carolina
Tim WalbergRepublican · Michigan
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Steve WomackRepublican · Arkansas
Ann WagnerRepublican · Missouri
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