18 Comments
User's avatar
Zoe's avatar

An elegant solution. Let’s hope it becomes law.

Virgin Monk Boy's avatar

Funny how Chicago hits a 60-year low in homicides right when people stop pretending the only tool we have is “thoughts, prayers, and more guns.”

M. F. Hopkins's avatar

I'm liking this RIFL Act!

Jstn Green's avatar

I don't like this approach. Using that reasoning we could charge bike manufacturers when people fall of their bikes and run up large hospital bills. Car companies when people crash their cars. Individuals who get injured rock climbing or lost hiking. So, now your rights are dependent on if they're affordable? There are much better ways to limit firearm violence.

AD's avatar

If bike manufacturers were the #1 cause of death for children and teens, we'd be having this conversation. This approach is necessary because unlike automotive, tobacco, opioid, and other industries gun manufacturers are shielded from law suit. There was a time where they did not take responsibility for the public costs and harm their products creates. They've been held financially responsible. It is that time now for this industry. There was No Bad Cars just Bad Drivers, when cars had no seat belts or airbags. Accountability changes behaviors.

Jstn Green's avatar

Well argued, though it assumes that it would be the only method of accountability. Certainly gun manufacturers should NOT be exempt from lawsuits, but introducing what amounts to a use tax is overly broad. Individuals should still be able to sue them in cases of negligence. That would provide change through accountability.

AD's avatar

Here in Illinois Mr. Green, 55 manufacturers had products recovered in deaths. There's at least 11,000 manufacturers that operate in the U.S. I actually think this proposal is the most specific because it only applies to manufacturers whose products created public harm/costs. Thanks for engaging in productive discourse with me. And I agree if they weren't exempted from lawsuits, such a proposal probably wouldn't be necessary

SeekingReason's avatar

Qasim, I live in Chicago and I didn’t hear about this! I love the choice for the name of the Act..RIFL. Brilliant! As you know, we are surrounded by Right Wing states which made buying guns over the border quite easy. This undermined our own strict gun laws. But this solution sounds like a better way to go.

I have belonged to anti-gun groups and donated over the years annually. All to no effect.

This is a little light of good news. Thank you for letting us know.

Linda Adams's avatar

Thank you for posting this worthwhile message. I tried to submit my letter to my representative but am not sure who my Nebraska State Rep is right now, but I will do my research and find out then send the letter to them.

Suel J's avatar

Seriously good news!!!

Carol's avatar

Our CA Assembly Majority Leader is also my assembly rep. I’m sending this to her!

Eric Mosley's avatar

Check out Cure Violence Global, started in Chicago by Dr. Gary Slutkin. https://cvg.org

Marshall Johnson's avatar

Thx for shining light on a successful policy here in Chicago. BTW this morning saw you on AlJazeera’s media segment as a human rights lawyer/expert. Super articulate! Took a couple of screenshots.

Qasim Rashid, Esq.'s avatar

Thank you Marshall!

Kevin's avatar
Feb 4Edited

The RIFL act sounds great but I’d like to hear more about what were the actions over the last year that worked. What useful programs are being cut and can you describe them. This is an incredible success story and I’d like to hear more

Qasim Rashid, Esq.'s avatar

Great idea! Will work on a piece articulating the CVI programs in more detail.

Diane Mattox's avatar

Wow!! Proud to say I was born and raised in Illinois!!

Qasim Rashid, Esq.'s avatar

It's a great state to live in. We moved back home to IL for that reason.