Indiana court rules wounded officer can't sue gun seller

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Indiana Supreme Court has ruled that a wounded police officer can't sue a sporting goods store that sold a handgun later used to wound him.

The Indianapolis Star reports (http://indy.st/2qa3LV5 ) the court on Monday dismissed Indianapolis Officer Dwayne Runnels' lawsuit claiming damages against Indianapolis-based sporting goods store KS&E Sports and the store's owner. Indiana law gives gun sellers significant immunity.

The lawsuit was filed after Runnels was wounded in a 2011 shootout during which Demetrious Martin was killed. The lawsuit argues KS&E Sports improperly sold the gun to a man who then illegally sold it to Martin, who as a convicted felon couldn't legally possess firearms.

The state appeals court had sided last year with Runnels' argument that the store didn't exercise reasonable care in selling the gun.

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Information from: The Indianapolis Star, http://www.indystar.com