The U.S. gun lobby celebrated a "historic victory" Thursday after Congress approved a law that would shield gun manufacturers from crime victims' lawsuits, dpa reported. The legislation passed the House of Representatives 283-144, after it had cleared the U.S. Senate in July. It now goes to the desk of President George W. Bush, who is expected to sign it into law. Proponents of the legislation said it provides much-needed legal protection to U.S. gun manufacturers. The National Rifle Association (NRA), one of the most powerful lobbying groups in the country, hailed Thursday's vote as a "historic victory". "Freedom, truth and justice prevailed," said NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre following the vote. But opponents of the bill said they would challenge it in court after it is signed into law. "The Congress can pass it. The President can sign it. But this shameful law will not stand," said Dennis Henigan, an official with the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
