The Mexican government filed a lawsuit in U.S. federal court Wednesday, naming several American firearm manufacturers. The Mexican lawsuit against U.S. gunmakers alleges lack of control contributes to an illegal flood of weapons over the border. Filed in U.S. federal court in Boston, Mexico sues American gun manufacturers, but does not name the U.S. federal government or the ATF.
Mexico Sues Gun Manufacturers
The suit appears strategically filed in Boston, a federal court site closest to America’s famed Gun Valley. The suit specifically names Smith & Wesson, Barrett, Beretta, Glock and Colt’s Manufacturing, reported The Washington Post.
The lawsuit further claims U.S. firearm companies “are conscious of the fact that their products are trafficked and used in illicit activities against the civilian population and authorities of Mexico, according to a Foreign Ministry document, reported The Washington Post.
“Nonetheless, they continue to prioritize their economic benefit, and use marketing strategies to promote weapons that are ever more lethal, without mechanisms of security or traceability,” it continued, reported The Washington Post.
The lawsuit seeks financial damages potentially reaching up to $10 billion, according to The Washington Post. It further calls for tighter controls on sales and increased security features on arms. Finally, the lawsuit calls for American companies to undertake studies and media campaigns to prevent arms trafficking.
Mexico’s lawsuit also drills down on alleged American gunmaker marketing practices. It called attention specifically to a Colt .38 Super engraved with the image of revolutionary hero Emiliano Zapato, reported The Washington Post. It claims an assassin used the same pistol to murder investigative journalist Miroslava Breach in 2017.
“Mexico is denouncing these promotional practices, along with other examples of negligence, like multiple weapons sales to a solo buyer, and the absence of background checks,” said Foreign Ministry documents, according to The Washington Post.
Of course, 2A advocates will no doubt point to the Fast & Furious scandal implicating the ATF in allowing illegal guns to cross the border. While no satisfactory conclusion came from those investigations, hopefully firearm companies, shielded by the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, can pivot the discussion for better answers on the federal government’s alleged past involvement in illegal gun running.
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