BRIDGEPORT - A judge is allowing a lawsuit filed against the manufacturer of the semiautomatic rifle used in the 2012 Sandy Hook School shooting to move forward through the state court system, according to a report by The Associated Press.

Judge Barbara Bellis ruled on Thursday, April 14, that a 2005 federal law that protect gun manufacturers from lawsuits does not prevent attorneys for the plaintiffs from arguing that the semi-automatic rifle is a military weapon that is not suitable for sale to civilians, according to the AP.

The lawsuit was filed in January 2015.

On December 14, 2012, Adam Lanza, 20, shot and killed 20 first-grade students and six educators with a Bushmaster XM15-E2S rifle which his mother had bought legally. Earlier that day, Lanza murdered his mother, Nancy, at their Sandy Hook home with a different gun before going to the school.

He killed himself there after police arrived.

The plaintiffs in the case are the families of nine children and adults killed in the school massacre and a teacher who survived.

Remington Arms, the parent company of Bushmaster Firearms, which made the weapon used in the school shooting is the defendant.

Lawyers for Remington Arms had sought to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the federal law shields gun manufacturers from such lawsuits.

Joshua Koskoff, a lawyer for the families, said, "We are thrilled that the gun companies' motion to dismiss was denied. The families look forward to continuing their fight in court," according to the AP report.

In a joint statement on the judge's decision, Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and   Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty said, "Today's ruling is a good step forward for the Sandy Hook families and for all Americans who have agonized with the Newtown community since that dark day in December of 2012."

They added, "The judge opened the courthouse door to allow these families to continue to plead their case…We won't stop fighting until this harmful law is repealed."

In a statement, Governor Dannel Malloy said, "We've passed the toughest gun laws in the nation for a reason.  These families deserve this. The ruling is the right one. The gun industry should not have protections that no other industry in America sees.  This is a victory for the families and a victory for those who stand for commonsense gun laws."

In a statement, Hilary Clinton, Democratic candidate for the presidency, said, "Today's ruling in Connecticut is an important step forward for these families, who are bravely fighting to hold irresponsible gunmakers accountable for their actions."

"They deserve their day in court. Unfortunately…the sweeping immunity law that protects gun manufacturers and dealers still remains a major obstacle for these families and others seeking to hold these gun companies accountable'" she said.

"That is why, as president, I would lead the charge to repeal this law. Nothing can make these families whole again after losing their children and loved ones in Sandy Hook, but they deserve a president who will fight for them, and I am committed to doing just that," Mrs Clinton said.