A Delaware Superior Court judge Friday dismissed a lawsuit from the family of a slain Wilmington woman that sought to hold outdoor sporting goods retailer Cabela’s civilly liable for allegedly selling the murder weapon in a “straw purchase.”

Judge Vivian L. Medinilla said in a 32-page memorandum opinion that Cabela’s had followed the law when it sold a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson pistol to Brilena Hardwick on July 26, and thus was protected by a state statute, which shields gun-sellers from damages stemming from lawful transfers of firearms.