A federal appeals court has thrown out New York City's lawsuit claiming the gun industry sells firearms with the knowledge that they can be diverted into illegal markets.

It is one of several suits that cities have filed against gun makers.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that federal law provides the gun industry with broad immunity from lawsuits brought by crime victims and violence-plagued cities.

The lawsuit said the industry violated public nuisance law by allowing widespread access to illegal firearms.