Congressman Meehan (D-MA) offered an amendment to the gun liability bill that would allow the victims of gun violence to recover damages from the manufacturers or sellers of firearms if their negligence allows guns to fall into the hands of criminals. Progressives supported Meehan's amendment as a way to ensure that manufacturers, distributors, and retailers are held responsible for their negligence just as every other industry and every other individual may be held responsible for any wrongdoing. Meehan's amendment failed to muster majority support and was defeated on a 144-280 vote.