Oil companies seek legal immunity modeled on gun industry’s shield from lawsuits
A growing push by fossil fuel companies to gain liability protection echoes the gun industry's successful effort two decades ago to shield itself from lawsuits that seek accountability for public harm.
Emily Sanders reports for ExxonKnews.
In short:
- Oil and gas companies are lobbying Congress for legal immunity against lawsuits brought by states and municipalities over the costs of climate change and alleged corporate deception.
- The strategy closely mirrors the gun lobby’s successful 2005 effort to pass the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), which severely restricted legal action against firearms manufacturers and sellers.
- Survivors of gun violence and their families say PLCAA stripped them of legal recourse and justice, and legal experts warn that extending similar immunity to fossil fuel companies could leave climate disaster victims without compensation.
Key quote:
“It really has had a chilling effect on lawsuits and has cut off individual access to the court system for these kinds of cases.”
— Betsy Grey, professor of law, Arizona State University
Why this matters:
Legal immunity for industries accused of causing widespread harm can weaken the civil justice system — one of the few remaining tools available to hold powerful corporations accountable, especially when regulatory enforcement is lacking. In the case of the gun industry, the liability shield has blocked many victims from seeking justice, even in extreme circumstances. If the fossil fuel sector receives similar protections, victims of wildfires, floods, and other climate disasters may also be denied a day in court.
These lawsuits often serve a dual purpose: revealing damaging internal communications and shifting public understanding of corporate responsibility. Beyond financial compensation, litigation has historically driven industry reforms — as seen in the opioid and tobacco settlements. Removing this pressure from fossil fuel companies could slow any move toward accountability, even as the climate crisis deepens and damages mount.
Learn more: Trump moves to block state climate rules and lawsuits tied to fossil fuel emissions
