The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against Mexico in its significant lawsuit seeking to hold American gun manufacturers liable for arms trafficking to drug cartels. The unanimous decision overturned a lower court’s ruling, effectively shielding Smith & Wesson and Interstate Arms from the legal challenge.
The lawsuit, initiated in Boston, centered on Mexico’s contention that the gun companies deliberately facilitated a system where “straw purchasers” acquired weapons destined for Mexican cartels. Mexico also alleged unlawful marketing practices, arguing that the companies designed and promoted “military-grade” weapons to appeal to cartel demand.
However, the Supreme Court concluded that Mexico’s complaint did not plausibly plead that the companies had “aided and abetted” unlawful sales. Justice Elena Kagan’s opinion underscored the protections afforded to gun companies under the 2005 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
This legal outcome arrives during a period of considerable friction between the U.S. and Mexico, with ongoing disagreements over trade, immigration, and efforts to combat drug trafficking. Mexico has consistently emphasized the severe socio-economic consequences of gun violence exacerbated by the influx of American-made firearms.