Re: O/T Remington 700 danger ?????


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Posted by Joe Cimoch [68.116.181.98] on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 14:06:09 :

In Reply to: O/T Remington 700 danger ????? posted by copey [206.80.246.224] on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 12:29:25 :

Article from dailymail:

Investigation links at least 24 deaths and 100 injuries to alleged defects in Remington Model 700 rifles

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 5:21 PM on 21st October 2010


A 10-month investigation has revealed that at least 24 deaths and more than 100 injuries have been linked to alleged defects in one of Remington's most popular rifles.

The Remington Model 700 rifle - which has sold more than five million worldwide - is now the target of a series of lawsuits claiming that it is unsafe and susceptible to going off without pulling the trigger.

Internal documents obtained by CNBC indicate Remington has considered safety alterations to the rifle for around 60 years and has rejected two alterations designed to eliminate inadvertent discharge.
Claims: An investigation into the Remington Model 700 rifle has revealed that 24 deaths have been linked to supposed defects in the popular model

Claims: An investigation into the Remington Model 700 rifle has revealed that 24 deaths have been linked to supposed defects in the popular model

Both alterations involved modification of the original trigger design, one of which would cost the U.S. company just 5.5 cents per gun, according to the company's own figures.

More than 75 lawsuits have been filed against the company alleging safety problems with the 700-series rifle.

Remington has consistently stated that the deaths and injuries involving the weapon have been the result of improper modifications, poor maintenance or unsafe handling.

It has also won some court cases after arguing that inexperienced users have not admitted pulling the trigger.

Richard Barber, of Manhattan, Montana, claimed his nine-year-old son Gus was killed when one of the rifles went off during a hunting trip.

Gus' mother, Barbara Barber, had been unloading her rifle when it went off and said she was certain her finger was not on the trigger when it fired.

She told CNBC: 'I went to the funeral home and looked Gus right square in the eye and I said "Son, it ends here and now".

'I promised him I would never be bought off and I would never quit until I've effected change.'

The Barber family sued Remington and as a result the company agreed in 2002 to modify older 700 rifles for $20 a time.

But the settlement stopped short of a full recall and the basic design of the rifle stayed the same.

Neither the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Justice Department nor the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are not allowed to recall guns.

Federal law passed in 1976 bars government from setting safety standards for guns because of the Second Amendment.

Mr Barber said: 'It is our responsibility as pro-gun individuals to regulate an issue of this nature.

'I am fearful that if the government got involved in this, that they would put such stringent standards on firearms, they'd be so safe, they wouldn't work.'

Remington is currently contesting two lawsuits demanding a nationwide recall of the 700 rifle.

Fixing the weapons is estimated at costing between $75 and $100 per gun.

Lawyer Robert Chaffin said: 'So you're talking about a recall campaign that could have cost up to $300million if it was run to its fullest.

'That is actually more than the entire net worth of the company.'

Remington has declined to comment on the findings of the CNBC investigation due to the upcoming public stock offering in the company.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1322551/Deaths-linked-alleged-Remington-Model-700-rifle-defects.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz131AdVtfU



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