Mexico on Wednesday sued several gun manufacturers in a US federal court, accusing them of reckless business practices that lead to violent Mexican drug cartels calling the “storage” of illegal weapons, causing thousands of deaths.
The lawsuit alleges that the entities of Smith & Wesson (SWBI.O), Barrett Firearms, Colts Manufacturing Company, Glock Inc, Sturm, Ruger & Co and others were aware that their business practices smuggled illegal weapons into Mexico was allowed. was encouraged.
The lawsuit cites weapons used in the infamous shootings in Mexico, noting that Colt’s .38-caliber “Emiliano Zapata 1911” pistol is engraved with the image of a Mexican revolutionary, and is coveted by a drug cartel. status symbol.
“What is the purpose? The companies in question compensate the government of Mexico for damages caused by their reckless practices,” Secretary of State Marcelo Ebrard said at a news conference about the lawsuit filed in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
The lawsuit is one of the boldest moves by Mexico to pressure the US arms industry, which Mexican leaders have blamed for years of promoting mass violence.
Companies need to put an immediate stop to their harmful practices, Ebrard said, noting that the court will decide what damages should be paid. He spoke after Mexican officials told reporters he sought an estimated $10 billion in lawsuits.
The companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation Inc (NSSF) said it rejected Mexico’s claims that American manufacturers were negligent in their business practices.
NSSF Senior Vice President Lawrence G. “The Mexican government is responsible for rampant crime and corruption within its borders,” Keane said in a statement. He said the cartels use guns illegally taken to Mexico or stolen from the Mexican military and law enforcement.
‘Actively Facilitate’
Mexico accused the companies of helping the country’s criminal underworld in violation of their strict gun laws, and thus “actively facilitating the illegal smuggling of their guns to drug cartels.”
Mexican officials said they have spent two years analyzing legal precedents on negligence by US arms manufacturers.
He pointed to cases, including a recent offer by Remington Arms Co. to pay nearly $33 million to families to settle lawsuits that claimed marketing of firearms led to the 2012 Sandy Hook School in Connecticut. Contributed to the massacre, where 26 people died.
Other lawsuits have used claims of unfair marketing as an exception to US law that gives the gun industry legal immunity, and may prompt companies to become more transparent in explaining their actions.
Georgia State University College of Law professor Timothy Lytton said, “There are efforts that are making some progress to record how the gun industry and manufacturers, in particular, think about marketing, distribution and sales practices. “
Mexico’s lawsuit states that more than 500,000 guns are smuggled into Mexico from the United States each year, of which more than 68%, or more than 340,000, are made by related firms.
Mexico has suffered a record-high murder rate in recent years.
A Mexican official said weapons smuggled into Mexico were responsible for at least 17,000 murders during 2019 alone. Another official estimated the damage to the economy due to the violence at around 1.7% of gross domestic product (GDP).
Mexican officials said they expected the case to take a long time to resolve, but were confident of success, noting that it was brought to the United States to ensure fairness.
A Mexican official said the lawsuit was filed in Massachusetts because some of the companies were based there.
Mexican officials said the lawsuit was not aimed at the US government, and Ebrard said he believed the Biden administration was willing to work with Mexico to stop arms smuggling.
Ebrard, seen as a leading contender for Mexico’s 2024 presidential election, has repeatedly raised concerns about US gun smuggling and loose gun control.
The trial was announced a day after Ebrard traveled to El Paso, Texas, to celebrate the second anniversary of the murder of 22 people at a Walmart where the shooter was accused of intentionally targeting a Mexican.
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