Lawyers for the company that made the rifle used to kill 20 first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School are asking a judge in Bridgeport to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit filed by families of some of the victims.

The families of nine of the victims walked into Bridgeport Superior Court on Monday, saying the company that manufactured the gun is also responsible for the tragedy. An AR-15 assault weapon was used in the shooting.

In court, Remington Firearms' attorney said that federal law shields gunmakers from such lawsuits.

"Congress has expressed its clear intention that these kinds of cases against firearms manufacturers shall not be brought," says attorney James Vogts.

However, there is an exception when a gunmaker knowingly sells to someone likely to commit a crime. The families say that just selling a military-grade weapon is negligent.

Gunmakers say the situation is akin to blaming a carmaker for a highway crash.

The PLCAA is the federal immunity for gunmakers. The judge heard from both sides Monday, but she is not expected to make a decision in the case for months.