#SCOTUS appeared skeptical on Tuesday that the Mexican government could legally sue #US #GunManufacturers over claims that they share the blame for the horrific #GunViolence of the drug cartels.

#law #USpol #geopolitics #GunControl #GunTrafficking #Mexico
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/us/politics/supreme-court-mexico-argument-guns.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=p&pvid=1E522D13-CBE2-4F2E-87D0-A9A6869517F0

A unanimous panel of judges of the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, in Boston, overturned that decision. They found that the lawsuit met the criteria for a part of the #law allowing for litigation in cases where knowing violations of #firearms laws are a direct cause of the plaintiff’s injuries.

#GunManufacturers asked #SCOTUS to hear the case, Smith & Wesson Brands v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos, No. 23-1141.

#SCOTUS #USpol #geopolitics #GunControl #GunTrafficking #Mexico

…#Mexico first sued multiple gun companies in 2021, arguing that the cartel bloodshed was “the foreseeable result of the defendants’ deliberate actions & business practices.”

A trial court judge dismissed the case, finding it was barred by a 2005 federal #law that limits litigation against #GunManufacturers & distributors & has provided immunity from actions brought by the families of people killed & injured by their weapons.

#SCOTUS #USpol #geopolitics #GunControl #GunTrafficking

“It is far easier & far more efficient to stop the #crime gun pipeline at its source & to turn off the spigot,” said Jonathan Lowy, president of Global Action on #GunViolence & a longtime litigator against the gun industry who has worked on the case on behalf of #Mexico.

The #GunManufacturers, joined by a slew of gun groups including the #NRA, have argued the lawsuit would undermine gun rights in the #UnitedStates.

#law #SCOTUS #USpol #geopolitics #GunControl #GunTrafficking #GunEpidemic

The dispute comes before the justices at a time of heightened tension between the 2 countries as the #Trump admin leans on #Mexico to crack down on illegal #immigration & cartel organizations. #Tariffs on imported goods from Mexico are scheduled to go into effect on Tuesday — the same day the justices are set to consider the guns lawsuit.

#law #SCOTUS #ClaudiaSheinbaum #GunControl #WeaponsTrafficking #GunTrafficking #GunEpidemic #GunViolence #USpol #geopolitics

The case reverses longstanding complaints by #Trump that Mexican cartels have contributed to rising #violence in the #UnitedStates. Instead, #Mexico argues the majority of #guns found at Mexican #crime scenes come from the US. It seeks some $10 billion in damages from #US #GunManufacturers.

#law #SCOTUS #ClaudiaSheinbaum #GunControl #WeaponsTrafficking #GunTrafficking #GunEpidemic #GunViolence #USpol #geopolitics