Wal-Mart has agreed to settle claims that it negligently sold ammunition to a drunken 20-year-old, who later used it in a fatal shooting spree.

According to some observers of gun-related litigation, the settlement may be part of a growing trend where plaintiffs have been able to obtain recoveries against gun and ammunition dealers despite broad immunities given to those companies.

The settlement comes in the case Ramos v. Wal-Mart, which is pending in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. The retail giant notified the court late last week that the parties had reached a tentative accord in the case, and filed an unopposed motion to file the settlement with the court under seal Wednesday.