emc
March 2, 2003, 04:29 PM
As printed in the WSJ Feb. 21, 2003
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Glock's Top U.S. Official Departs
As Firm Faces More Liability Suits
By VANESSA O'CONNELL
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Austrian handgun maker Glock GmbH parted ways with its top U.S. official this week, at a critical moment for the gun industry.
Paul Jannuzzo, a senior executive with the gun maker's U.S. unit, confirmed he stepped down Monday as chief operating officer and general counsel at Glock Inc. He has stirred controversy within gun circles because of his support for greater use of computer systems that can match bullets and shell casings to the guns that fired them.
Mr. Jannuzzo had been one of the industry's most senior in-house lawyers and helped to shape strategy in defending against dozens of municipal and individual liability suits gun companies have faced in recent years. The industry faces a new round of litigation this spring, with cases pending in federal court in Brooklyn, N.Y., and California state court in San Diego.
Mr. Jannuzzo, a 46-year-old former prosecutor, characterized his departure as a retirement after working for Glock for 12 years. "I'm in the process of discussing a consulting contract with Glock, and until I am finished with that, I will have no comment," he said. Officials at Glock's headquarters in Austria didn't return messages seeking comment.
In recent years, Mr. Jannuzzo has at times been a cautious proponent of conciliation with antigun forces, though he has denied any wrongdoing on the part of Glock and its main rivals. His stance has drawn criticism from some gun owners.
He said his position on trying to find a compromise with gun critics that could resolve pending lawsuits has been: "Don't reflexively say no, and don't draw a line in the sand just for the sake of drawing a line in the sand."
***********************************
Glock's Top U.S. Official Departs
As Firm Faces More Liability Suits
By VANESSA O'CONNELL
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Austrian handgun maker Glock GmbH parted ways with its top U.S. official this week, at a critical moment for the gun industry.
Paul Jannuzzo, a senior executive with the gun maker's U.S. unit, confirmed he stepped down Monday as chief operating officer and general counsel at Glock Inc. He has stirred controversy within gun circles because of his support for greater use of computer systems that can match bullets and shell casings to the guns that fired them.
Mr. Jannuzzo had been one of the industry's most senior in-house lawyers and helped to shape strategy in defending against dozens of municipal and individual liability suits gun companies have faced in recent years. The industry faces a new round of litigation this spring, with cases pending in federal court in Brooklyn, N.Y., and California state court in San Diego.
Mr. Jannuzzo, a 46-year-old former prosecutor, characterized his departure as a retirement after working for Glock for 12 years. "I'm in the process of discussing a consulting contract with Glock, and until I am finished with that, I will have no comment," he said. Officials at Glock's headquarters in Austria didn't return messages seeking comment.
In recent years, Mr. Jannuzzo has at times been a cautious proponent of conciliation with antigun forces, though he has denied any wrongdoing on the part of Glock and its main rivals. His stance has drawn criticism from some gun owners.
He said his position on trying to find a compromise with gun critics that could resolve pending lawsuits has been: "Don't reflexively say no, and don't draw a line in the sand just for the sake of drawing a line in the sand."