Washington – The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday said it would not hear an appeal of a Connecticut court decision that allowed the families of Sandy Hook shooting victims to continue their lawsuit against the Remington Arms Co., maker of the weapon used in the infamous 2012 massacre.

The Supreme Court’s ruling will not only allow the lower court’s decision to stand, but will also potentially open the door to more lawsuits from victims of gun crimes.

“The families are grateful that the Supreme Court upheld precedent and denied Remington’s latest attempt to avoid accountability,” said a statement from Josh Koskoff, the attorney representing the families.

The case, brought by family members of those killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that left 20 children and six adults dead, was based on a “loophole” in a 2005 federal law, known as the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, or PLCAA. It broadly, but not completely, shields firearm manufacturers and dealers when crimes are committed with their products.