Most of the guns found at crime scenes come from the United States. Mexico now wants to take stronger action against arms smuggling from the neighboring country. However, US courts consider the Mexican side’s claims to be inadmissible.
A Mexican government lawsuit against US arms manufacturers has been dismissed by a US judge. On Friday he referred to a US law that protects these companies from liability for the use of their products. Mexico’s government already had Smith last year
She plans to appeal the verdict. The Massachusetts District Judge dismissed arguments by the Mexican government that an exception to the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act would be appropriate in this case. The law has so far protected manufacturers from consequences. Though the court has sympathy for the people of Mexico, it is bound by the law, Judge Dennis Saylor said.
Mexico has been suffering from a wave of violence for years. Last year, an average of almost 100 homicides per day were registered in the Latin American country. Criminal gangs are responsible for most of the violence. Most of the weapons used in Mexico’s bloody drug war come from the United States. It is estimated that around 200,000 guns are smuggled into Mexico every year. According to the lawsuit, 70 to 90 percent of guns seized from crime scenes came from the United States, while Mexico itself has strict gun laws.
At the same time, the Latin American country has long been under pressure from the US to crack down on drug smuggling. Since the start of a controversial army operation against the gangs in 2006, more than 300,000 people have been killed in Mexico’s drug war.
“We will continue to work to ensure that arms distribution is responsible, transparent and accountable,” the government said in a statement. “The careless manner in which guns are sold in the United States makes them easier for criminals to gain access to.”
