Can I be sued??

Question

My husband and I own a sporting goods store. It is a small store and we have only been in business for about 3 months. We are located in Pennsylvania. The other evening I sold two boys two b.b. guns. I carded them and one was 19 the other 18. The cops came in my store the next day and said they were called out to scene (the two boys decided to play "war" at 1 a.m.) and pulled thier guns on these boys. Thank God the cops realized the boys only had b.b. guns! The cops however said that IF they had shot one of those boys my husband and I could be held accountable. how is that possible?!? We carded them. They are of age. Does this sound messed up to anyone else??

I understand they aren't exactly deadly, but I mean come on!!! Walmart sells them! If it would be that easy to be sued, would walmart sell them?? I dunno. I'm just annoyed by this. I feel like the cops are harassing us because THEY almost made a mistake. There is NO LAW here in PA against selling them.

No no..the cops said we DIDN'T do anything wrong. The boys were of AGE. They just wanted to let US know that we could have a civil suit on our hands. Thats nuts. Thats like me buying a car and getting into an accident and killing someone. Can that persons family go and sue the car dealership for selling me a car?? of course not. Thats rediculous.

Answer 1

It sounds like you live in a small community, where the cops are not what the definition should be of a police officer. Their shady and will harass anyone they think they can get away with. That's what gives cop bad names, these guys! No, you can't be sued!!!!!!!!!!!! You carded, did your job. You are not responsible for what those boy did after they bought the BB guns. Don't let them run you out of business. Too many Wal-Mart, and do they get sued? Hell NO. Good luck to both of you.

Answer 2

Unfortunately in our country people sue for everything. Look at the guy who sued a dry cleaner for 10 million because his pants were lost, mc donalds with the hot coffee or the reason the ladies kids were fat. B.B guns are legal, and you should them to people of age. I think the cops were probably just a little bit upset about the situation and tried to scare you a bit.

Answer 3

Just remember, anyone can sue anyone they want for whatever they want.
The chances they will win are very slim as long as you operate within the limits of the law.
Also keep in mind, it can be very costly to file a law suit with representation which prevents many from going forward.
They could lose alot of money on atty fees if they lose.
Personally, I think you will be fine, you followed the law.

Answer 4

you can be sued. however, you may not have any liability. find one of the police officers who contacted you, and ask them to explain what you did wrong, so that you won't do it again. if they don't answer, you probably didn't do anything wrong. police officers get aggravated & have bad days just like any of us, so they might have been blowing off steam on you (too many people who shouldn't get guns do anyway, but the cops rarely get to find them, so the legitimate people sometimes get a little of their irritation)

Answer 5

You live in the good ol USA. Yes you can be sued. They may not win, but with the most lawyers per capita law suits are always possible.

Answer 6

YOU ARE LEGALLY RIGHT IN YOUR DESCRIPTION OF WHAT CARE AND CAUTION YOU TOOK TO PROVIDE A LEGAL SALE TO THOSE OF AGE.

LAWS ARE FUNNY IN ILLINOIS YOU CAN BE FINED $1,000 AND GO TO JAIL IF YOUR CHILD SKIPS SCHOOL?

MAYBE HERE THE POLICE MEANT THAT THE PARENTS COULD HAVE BROUGHT CHARGES AGAINST YOU FOR SELLING THE WEAPONS. BUT WOULD IT HOLD UP IN A COURT OF LAW?? NO YOU TOOK ALL THE PRECAUTIONS YOU COULD HAVE AS A BUSINESS OWNER.

Answer 7

while a BB gun is not thought of as lethal it can do great harm ;always follow the letter of the law