A Chicago judge has determined that five families, all touched in some manner by gun violence, will be allowed to proceed in their lawsuit against gun manufacturers. The victims sued the gun makers for allegedly "flooding" the streets of Chicago with an excessive amount of dangerous guns. To date, nearly 20 suits have been filed around the country accusing the gun industry of wrongdoing. About half of them continue to be litigated while the others were dismissed by the court system.

In the Chicago case the plaintiffs claim that guns are a public nuisance and that injuries caused by their use should be attributed to gun makers.

A lawyer for the families said that "by virtue of their individual, distinct injuries, [the families] have a legal right to pursue a claim... that is an order from the court directing changes in handgun distribution practices...and money damages." The gun makers' attorney denied that the companies have done anything illegal.

The Illinois state legislature is considering passing tougher gun laws. Said State Senate Democratic Leader Emil Jones: "The public is demanding that responsible legislators make the bold decisions to end the senseless killing and the widespread, uncontrolled sale of deadly weapons in Illinois. Let's not protect the National Rifle Association. Let's protect the people of Illinois."

Current Illinois law forbids felons from owning guns. However, such prohibition failed to stop a recent shooting at a Chicago area manufacturing plant where a convicted felon killed four and wounded four others with two rifles, a shotgun and a handgun.