A judge just dealt a blow to a big gun-maker being sued over the Sandy Hook massacre

A Connecticut judge on Thursday rejected a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the families of the December 2012 Sandy Hook shooting victims against the parent company for Bushmaster guns, the Hartford Courant reports.

Under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, gun-makers are not liable for crimes committed with their products.

However, Judge Barbara Bellis ruled that law wasn't enough to have the case thrown out right now at this early stage, according to the Courant.

The suit names Remington Arms Co., the manufacturer of the Bushmaster AR-15 that was used in the shooting, Camfour Inc., a gun distributor, and Riverview Gun Sales, a now-defunct gun shop in Connecticut where the rifle was purchased by the shooter's mother in 2010, according to Newsweek.

The families are suing for wrongful death, and accused the gunmaker of selling a so-called civilian weapon that's designed and marketed for combat.

The judge's ruling is a potential blow to other gun manufacturers, which generally have broad immunity from litigation under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.