A bill up for consideration on Beacon Hill would open the door for firearm manufacturers and distributors to be sued for the harm their products cause, igniting a debate over what gun violence exactly means.

Backers of the “Gun Violence Victims’ Access to Justice Act” argue that the bill would create a code of conduct to “reduce the likelihood that guns end up in the wrong hands” by holding the firearm industry accountable.

Opponents counter that manufacturers and distributors shouldn’t be punished for harm inflicted by those who are behind the gun at the time the violence occurs, and that criminals must be prosecuted.

Under the bill, firearm industry members would be mandated to follow safeguards and business practices that backers say are designed to prevent the sale or distribution o

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