HB4156 Summary

• Creates the Firearms Dealer and Importer Liability Act (also called the Protecting Heartbeats Act) establishing strict liability for manufacturers, importers, and dealers of firearms for bodily injury or death resulting from unlawful discharge of their firearms in Illinois.

• Allows any private citizen (except government employees) to bring civil actions against violators and requires courts to award prevailing claimants injunctive relief, statutory damages of at least $10,000 per person injured or killed, and costs and attorney's fees.

• Requires manufacturers, importers, and dealers to execute written documents certifying firearms will not be used to cause unlawful bodily injury or death, and maintain copies in their records.

• Prohibits common legal defenses including claims of unconstitutionality, reliance on court decisions, mistake of law, and assertions of Third Amendment rights; defendants cannot assert firearm owner rights unless the U.S. Supreme Court requires it.

• Establishes a 4-year statute of limitations, allows venue in counties where events occurred, where defendants reside or maintain offices, or where claimants reside; exempts firearms distributed to government entities and bars claims by persons injured during crime commission or by intentional self-infliction.