under ganim, the city of bridgeport joined a number of u.s. cities (others included new orleans, miami, and chicago) to file legal actions against the handgun industry, arguing that they were liable for product liability negligence in failing to use technology to make their products safer, leading to handgun violence. such suits were inspired by successful litigation against the tobacco industry. the city of bridgeport's suit was filed in connecticut superior court in january 1999; it named smith & wesson, 11 other u.s. firearms manufacturers, three handgun trade associations, and a dozen gun dealers in southwestern connecticut as defendants. ganim said that the city's action aimed at "creating law with litigation...that's the route that we're going because [the industry has] always very effectively, with big money, lobbied the legislature and kept laws from being passed." the city sought $100 million in damages for the cost of human life lost and the public cost of treating shooting victims; ganim said that the city would agree to a settlement, "if the companies will agree to improve the design of their handguns to prevent their misuse." the suit was unsuccessful: the court dismissed for lack of standing in december 1999, and the dismissal was unanimously upheld by the state supreme court in 2001.