Can Class Actions Solve the Gun Defects Problem?

Defects in firearms, an inherently dangerous product, have led to deaths and injuries—but no agency has the authority to force a recall.

Other than voluntary recalls by gunmakers, class actions are currently the only tool available to get defective firearms off the market, attorneys and advocates for the suits tell Bloomberg BNA in recent interviews.

Two pending class action settlements—one involving Remington rifles, a second involving handguns made by a Brazilian maker—involve replacing the defective mechanism or the gun itself as one part of the remedy.

But such gun-safety class actions are rare. A plaintiffs’ attorney says he’s unaware of ...