John Cornyn (R-TX)
Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act
A Republican bill with 27 Republican cosponsors · See all 27 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act. It updates the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act to further clarify liability protections for firearms and associated manufacturers and retailers. The legislation mandates the immediate dismissal of certain pending qualified civil liability actions in courts. It updates definitions related to qualified products and qualified civil liability actions, including specific exceptions. Additionally, the bill outlines procedures for the removal and dismissal of these cases in federal courts and establishes that the Act preempts state and local laws imposing certain liabilities.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +8
Would business owners be better off under this?
Significantly reduces the legal and financial risks for gun manufacturers and sellers.
- Scored +6
Does this protect the right to own guns?
Protects the firearms industry from litigation, supporting the continued availability of firearms.
- Scored +5
Would gun owners be better off under this?
Supports the industry that provides the products they use.
The opposite· 3 of 6
- Scored -8
Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns?
Shields gun manufacturers and sellers from civil liability, reducing legal pressure to change business practices.
- Scored -6
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
Expressly preempts state and local regulations that impose liability on gun manufacturers.
- Scored -4
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
Limits the ability of consumers to sue manufacturers for harm resulting from the misuse of products.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Protection for Lawful Minors: Under Section 3(6)(D), the bill explicitly states that nothing in the Act shall limit 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 that younger individuals retain their legal rights to seek recovery under the permitted circumstances.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Dismissal of Pending Lawsuits: Under Section 2, any qualified civil liability action pending on the date of enactment must be immediately dismissed by the court. This could negatively impact individuals who currently have active lawsuits against manufacturers or sellers, as their pending cases would be abruptly ended.
-
Prohibition on Foreign Government Suits: Under Section 3(6)(E), foreign states or governments are completely prohibited from bringing civil actions, proceedings, or claims against manufacturers, sellers, or trade associations for the misuse of a qualified product. Furthermore, the standard exceptions to immunity do not apply to foreign governments, which could limit international accountability measures.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Significantly reduces the legal and financial risks for gun manufacturers and sellers. Would gun owners be better off under this? — Supports the industry that provides the products they use. Would children be better off under this? — Provides a specific exception allowing those under 17 to recover damages in certain civil actions. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Likely reduces the ability of cities to sue manufacturers over the flow of guns into urban areas. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Financial risk of paying attorney fees if they lose a suit against a manufacturer.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Preempts state and local laws regarding firearm liability, shifting power to federal standards. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Expressly preempts state and local regulations that impose liability on gun manufacturers. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Increases pleading burdens for plaintiffs and mandates dismissal of pending actions.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect the right to own guns? — Protects the firearms industry from litigation, supporting the continued availability of firearms. Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns? — Shields gun manufacturers and sellers from civil liability, reducing legal pressure to change business practices.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Reduces legal liability risks for small firearm retailers and manufacturers. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Limits the ability of consumers to sue manufacturers for harm resulting from the misuse of products.
- 11/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/17/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/6/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/11/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 15 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Jim BanksRepublican · Indiana
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Shelley CapitoRepublican · West Virginia
Bill CassidyRepublican · Louisiana
Tom CottonRepublican · Arkansas
John CurtisRepublican · Utah
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
Deb FischerRepublican · Nebraska
Lindsey GrahamRepublican · South Carolina
Chuck GrassleyRepublican · Iowa
- Darline Graham
Republican · South Carolina
Bill HagertyRepublican · Tennessee
Cindy Hyde-SmithRepublican · Mississippi
James JusticeRepublican · West Virginia
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
James LankfordRepublican · Oklahoma
Mike LeeRepublican · Utah
Roger MarshallRepublican · Kansas
Bernie MorenoRepublican · Ohio
James RischRepublican · Idaho
Mike RoundsRepublican · South Dakota
Pete RickettsRepublican · Nebraska
Rick ScottRepublican · Florida
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana
Tommy TubervilleRepublican · Alabama