John Luigi Ferri

John Luigi Ferri, 55, killed eight people and wounded six others before committing suicide at an office building at 101 California St. in San Francisco

July 1, 1993

Apparently dissatisfied with the legal services he had received from the law firm of Pettit & Martin, he entered their offices on the 34th floor of 101 California Street at 2:57 PM and within 4 minutes had killed 8 people and wonded 6. He then is reported to have killed himself. The weapons, two TEC-9's and a .45 semi-automatic pistol, have caused some controversy. Lawyers for the families of the deceased have sued both the gun makers and the store where the guns were purchased. They charge that the sellers of the gun acted irresponsibly because they should have known the weapon they sold to Ferri was inappropriate for legal use.

The story was on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle for several days.

The Gunman's Letter lists over 30 names including the FDA whom he faults for the high level of monosodium glutamate in his body as well as the law firm, Pettit & Martin.

The Victims - Allen Berk, Jack Berman, Donald Merrill, Shirley Mooser, Jody Jones Sposato and David Sutcliffe as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle on July 3rd, 1993.

More News Coverage

From sites refering to John Luigi Ferri ...

Pawn Shop Owners Make Settlement in 101 Calif. Shooting - Lawyers for victims of a 1993 shooting massacre in a San Francisco highrise have announced a $150,000 settlement with a Las Vegas pawn shop that sold the gunman one of his assault weapons. This is the first time in the nation that victims of a shooting were allowed to sue gun makers and sellers for harm caused during a criminal shooting. The families of the victims charge that the sellers of the gun acted irresponsibly because they should have known the semi-automatic assualt weapon they sold to Ferri was inappropriate for legal use.

A San Francisco Court judge dealt a blow to gun manufacturers last month, ruling that the maker of guns used in the 1993 lawyer's office massacre can be sued for the deaths their products caused. San Francisco Superior Court Judge James Warren, a former business lawyer and 1994 appointee of Gov. Pete Wilson, refused to dismiss a series of lawsuits against the makers of the guns and ammunition Gian Luigi Ferri used when he burst into the Pettit & Martin law firm on July 1, 1993, and sprayed its offices with bullets. The 55-year-old Ferri killed eight people and wounded six others before turning a gun on himself.

Warren, grandson of the late U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, ruled that gun manufacturer Navegar Inc. may be liable under legal theories of strict liability and negligence. Strict liability allows damages to be awarded for any harm caused by a dangerous product. Second Amendment Foundation ISSN 1079-6169

U.N. Anniversary Brings Tight Security to San Francisco by Philip E. Daoust The American Reporter June 21, 1995

CALIFORNIA COURT ALLOWS GUN VICTIMS TO SUE MANUFACTURER On April 10, a California state trial court ruled that the victims of 1993 San Francisco shooting rampage may seek damages from the manufacturer of the gun which was used in that shooting. The case centered around a lawsuit filed by the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence, which sought to hold Intratec, the Miami-based manufacturer of the TEC-DC9, liable for the actions of a deranged gunman, Gian Luigi Ferri, who in 1993, killed eight and wounded six others in a San Francisco law firm. Claiming that the marketing of the TEC-DC9 to the general public constitutes an "ultrahazardous" activity, and therefore, the victims should be allowed to seek damages from Intratec, supporters of the suit show that they hold in equal regard the criminal act perpetrated by Ferri and the legal act of producing a lawful consumer product. While this ruling has only allowed the case to proceed to a fact-finding stage, it could pave the way for victims of similar shootings to sue firearms manufacturers who are in no way responsible for the actions of criminals.

Ruling Allows Suit Against Gun Manufacturers in Killing SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A Superior Court judge dealt a blow to gun manufacturers Monday, ruling that the maker of guns used in the 101 California Street high-rise massacre can be sued for the deaths their products caused. But whether the manufacturers of the magazines and ammunition contained in those weapons can be included in the suits will not be decided until this summer. San Francisco Superior Court Judge James Warren refused to dismiss a series of lawsuits against the makers of the guns and ammunition Gian Luigi Ferri used when he burst into the Pettit & Martin law firm on July 1, 1993, and sprayed its offices with bullets. Using three guns, including two semi-automatic weapons and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, the 55-year-old Ferri killed eight people and wounded six others before turning a gun on himself. Warren ruled that gun manufacturer Navegar, Inc. may be liable under legal theories of strict liability and negligence. Strict liability allows damages to be awarded for any harm caused by a dangerous product. Navegar attorney Ernest Getto disputed that, saying the semi-automatic guns Ferri used were made legally in Florida and sold to Ferri in Nevada - both states without bans on assault weapons at the time.

The PROponent Peoples Rights Organization - Since we are dealing with national media here, facts are scarce, but apparently one John Luigi Ferri took two TEC-9's, a .45 semi-automatic pistol, and a bag full of ammo and went on a shooting rampage. And yes, he reportedly had that same blank "Manchurian candidate" look on his face that has been so common in these cases. I suppose he chose TEC-9s because these huge pistols are so easily concealed. The police called the guns "TEC-9 machine pistols." and CBS and the mayor of San Francisco went on an anti-gun rampage. CBS said, "as for his weapons, all were legal." The mayor called that in itself a "crime." Shocking! "Guns anyone can buy!"

There is only one little problem here. Someone is a liar. Full-auto TEC-9's of recent manufacture cannot be purchased by anyone except our beloved military, police, or authorized government agents. [Using your money, of course] Remember Metzenbaum's little "compromise" amendment passed to get some of the 1968 gun law repealed? It banned ownership of modern machine guns. So who is the liar? Did the police call a semi-auto a machine gun or is Connie Chung and the mayor lying when they said the guns were all legal. Maybe they are all liars. After all, gun ownership by a mental case is in no way legal.

With all due apologies to the PRO attorneys, I must say however, that these media prostitutes have there work cut out for them trying to build anti-gun sentiment based on this case ... after all, the guy shot up a high-priced lawyers office, for crying out loud.

politically correct weapons

MotherJones SO93: This bullet kills you better - by Julie Petersen

Mass Murderer Hit List - Gian Luigi Ferri (8) A failed businessman Ferri did what others only dream of doing. In 1993, the avenging angel of all those screwed by lawyers, killed eight and wounded six, as he rampaged through the Pettit and Martin Law offices in San Francisco. Fearing legal recourse, he turned the gun on himself.

A San Francisco lawyer Sues Herbal Tea Maker Over Deaths of Wife, Others

Shakespeare's famous quote, "The first thing we do, lets kill all the lawyers." - Richard II, Act III, Scene 2

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