Members of Connecticut's Congressional delation are among those reacting to yesterday's ruling by a Connecticut Superior Court judge that a lawsuit can go forward against the maker of the rifle used in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. 

Governor Dannel Malloy called the ruling a victory for the families and a victory for those who stand for commonsense gun laws.  He said Connecticut passed the toughest gun laws in the nation for a reason.  He added that the gun industry should not have protections that no other industry in America sees. 

Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy issued a joint statement with 5th District Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty saying that the judge opening the courthouse door to allow these families to continue to plead their case is a good step forward, not only for the Sandy Hook families, but for all Americans who have agonized with the Newtown community since 12-14. 

The manufacturer argued that the suit should be barred by the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, a federal statute that has given the gun industry immunity from a wide variety of civil suits.  They said that for far too many families, that law has been a complete barrier to justice. They pledged to keep fighting until this the law is repealed. 

The Judge ruled that a federal law protecting gun makers from lawsuits does not prevent lawyers for the families from arguing that the AR-15 is a military weapon and should not have been sold to civilians.