The legal team representing Mexico in a lawsuit against eight firearms manufacturers in the United States is gearing up to present part of their case before the US Supreme Court on March 4. The lawsuit, initiated by the Mexican government in 2021, accuses the manufacturers of supplying weapons that end up in the hands of drug cartels operating in Mexico, leading to economic and social damages.
Mexico, with only one gun store, has highlighted that a significant percentage of firearms recovered from crime scenes in the country originate from the US. A report from the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms revealed that 72% of international gun trafficking cases involving the US have Mexico as the target country.
In response to the lawsuit, the firearms manufacturers have challenged Mexico's claims, citing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which generally shields manufacturers and distributors from civil liability for the criminal use of their products. The case was revived after a federal appeals court ruling, and the Supreme Court is now reviewing it.
Additionally, Mexico has filed a separate lawsuit against five gun stores in Arizona, accusing them of negligence, public nuisance, and unjust enrichment. This lawsuit is currently in the evidence-gathering stage.
The legal advisor to the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that both lawsuits are progressing, with potential for various outcomes. He noted that these legal actions could pave the way for broader litigation strategies in the future.
The timing of the case is significant, given the diplomatic tensions between Mexico and the US. Recently, the US designated six Mexican drug cartels as terrorist groups, a move that Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized as potentially threatening Mexican sovereignty.
President Sheinbaum also announced plans to pursue reforms aimed at prosecuting individuals involved in the illicit trafficking of weapons into Mexico. The legal battle between Mexico and US firearms manufacturers is unfolding against a backdrop of complex legal and diplomatic dynamics.
