(Indianapolis) – The Indiana Court of Appeals has unanimously dismissed a decades-old lawsuit filed by the City of Gary against firearm manufacturers and sellers, siding with the state and reinforcing Indiana’s authority over firearms-related litigation.
Attorney General Todd Rokita announced the ruling, calling it a major victory for Second Amendment rights and for state law that limits the ability of local governments to sue the firearms industry. The case, originally filed 26 years ago, sought to hold gun manufacturers and sellers responsible for gun violence-related costs incurred by the city.
In its decision, the appellate court upheld Indiana statutes that reserve the power to bring such lawsuits exclusively to the state, not individual cities or municipalities. Rokita said the ruling prevents local governments from using litigation to influence how firearms are manufactured or sold.
“This decision upholds the General Assembly’s clear intent,” Rokita said, adding that the ruling helps ensure firearms remain available to law-abiding Hoosiers and maintains uniform statewide policy.
Indiana Solicitor General James Barta, who argued the case for the state, said the unanimous ruling confirms that the legislature intended to block piecemeal lawsuits that could lead to inconsistent firearm regulations across Indiana.
Supporters of the decision argue it protects constitutional rights and prevents what they describe as backdoor regulation through the courts.
However, officials in Gary and gun-control advocates have long argued the lawsuit was an attempt to address the financial and public safety burdens of gun violence on local communities. They contend cities should have the ability to seek accountability when firearm-related costs strain municipal resources, particularly in communities disproportionately affected by gun crime.
The ruling effectively ends the City of Gary’s long-running case unless further appeals are pursued, and it reaffirms Indiana’s statewide preemption of legal action against the firearms industry.
