Are gun manufacturers allowed to advertise assault weapons?
There is no law that prohibits gun manufacturers from advertising assault weapons for lawful uses.
In fact, a 2005 law established that gun manufacturers are not liable when their weapons are used to commit a crime.
However, recent lawsuits argue that the law doesn't cover advertising that is deceptive or encourages illegal behavior. In February, Sandy Hook school-shooting victims settled a lawsuit for $73 million against Remington, which, according to litigants, portrayed its AR-15-style Bushmaster rifle as a weapon of war, invoked combat violence with its video-game product placement, and appealed to troubled young men with slogans like, "Consider your man card reissued."
A pending lawsuit in New Jersey would require Smith & Wesson to turn over documents related to alleged deceptive advertising that guns make a home safer, as well as advertising that allegedly encourages illegal behavior by promoting concealed carry without mentioning permitting requirements.
A recently introduced bill in California would allow lawsuits against gun manufacturers who market their weapons for illegal uses or to children and those legally prohibited from possessing firearms.