Student News: Evan Dale ’24 Wins Inaugural Everytown Law Fund Law Student Writing Competition

Evan Dale ‘24 was recognized as a co-winner by Everytown Law Fund for its inaugural Law Student Writing Competition. Dale's article, "Help Me Sue A Gun Manufacturer: A State Legislator’s Guide To The Protection Of Lawful Commerce In Arms Act And The Predicate Exception," analyzed how the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), which gives broad immunity to the gun industry, discourages gun companies from improving their products and business practices, to the detriment of victims of gun violence and society. Dale's piece provides guidance to state legislators seeking to write a predicate statute that will allow plaintiffs to sue players in the gun industry under an exception to PLCAA. 

Gun Violence Prevention Clinic Director Visiting Assistant Clinical Professor Megan Walsh said, "Evan's article deftly captures the landscape of PLCAA, and offers meaningful, practical guidance to legislators who want to provide victims and survivors of gun violence a pathway to sue parties in the industry who caused or contributed to their losses."

"I am honored to be chosen as a winner of Everytown Law Fund's inaugural Law Student Writing Competition," Dale says. "I hope my Note will further encourage state legislatures to pass predicate statutes and expand access for gun violence victims who seek justice against gun manufacturers and the gun industry. Thank you to the litigators and experts, including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minnesota Law's Gun Violence Prevention Clinic Director Megan Walsh, and Brady: United Against Gun Violence, who helped make this article possible and continue this important work."