MIAMI (Legal Newsline) - A St. Louis man is suing the designers of certain AK-47 rifles, alleging the rifles fire even when in the safety position.
J. Steven Erickson, individually and for all others similarly situated, filed a class action lawsuit Jan. 19 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida against Century International Arms, Century Arms, Century Arms of Vermont, and Century International Arms of Vermont, alleging negligence, strict liability, breach of express and implied warranties, concealment, misrepresentation, and violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
According to the complaint, the defendants design, test, manufacture, assemble, market, supply, and distribute certain AK-47 rifles. The suit says these rifles have a common design defect that allows the rifles to fire when the safety is pulled, placed, or pushed above the safety lock, creating an unreasonably dangerous situation for any person possessing one of the rifles.
The lawsuit further alleges the defendants fraudulently concealed and intentionally failed to warn of the defect.
Erickson and others in the suit seek more than $5 million in compensatory and punitive damages, treble and statutory damages, disgorgement, interests, attorney fees and costs. They are represented by attorney Angelo Marino Jr. of Fort. Lauderdale, Florida.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida Case number 9:16-CV-80095-KLR