U.S. Judge Tosses out Mexico's $10 Billion Lawsuit Against U.S. Gunmakers; Mexico to Appeal Decision

A U.S. judge has dismissed Mexico's $10 billion lawsuit against U.S. gunmakers accused of designing and selling deadly weapons that Mexican drug cartels could use.

According to Reuters, the decision of Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor in federal court in Boston, Massachusetts, is a victory for gun-making companies such as Smith & Wesson Brands Inc., and Sturm, Ruger & Co., among others.

The U.S. gunmakers allegedly undermined "Mexico's strict gun laws" by facilitating the trafficking of military-style assault weapons across the U.S.-Mexico border to Mexican drug cartels. Mexico noted that it would appeal the decision.

In a statement, Mexico's foreign ministry said the Mexican government has received "worldwide recognition and has been considered a turning point" when it comes to talking about the gun industry's responsibility for the violence.

Saylor wrote in a 44-page decision that the court has "considerable sympathy for people of Mexico," but it is duty-bound to follow the law.

He noted that federal law "unequivocally" bars lawsuits seeking to hold gunmakers responsible when people use their products for their intended purpose. The U.S. judge said the law contained some narrow exceptions, but none applied.

Mexico Plans to Appeal Decision

Mexico's Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Marcelo Ebrard, told Proceso he was not surprised nor defeated by the ruling on the civil lawsuit filed by his office against U.S. gunmakers. Ebrard noted they were already prepared for the ruling and would appeal the judge's decision.

The foreign affairs secretary pointed out that the judge recognized and recounted all evidence they presented and demonstrated the negligence of crossing weapons to Mexico.

Ebrard said the judge did not question it. The U.S. gunmakers argued that they have no responsibility for the murder of thousands of Mexicans with weapons they manufacture.

Ebrard said Saylor interpreted the law in favor of the arms industry by exempting them from responsibility anywhere, "neither in the United States nor outside the United States." The appeal had already been prepared by the Foreign Affairs' Legal Consulting with a team of American lawyers.

Mexico's $10 Billion Lawsuit Against U.S. Gunmakers

The lawsuit was filed in a federal courthouse in Massachusetts, wherein Mexico argued that the "flood" of illegal weapons in the country was the "foreseeable result" of the U.S. gunmakers' "deliberate actions and business practices."

More than a dozen U.S. states have backed up Mexico's government's case, such as the states of California and New York. Head of legal affairs at Mexico's embassy in Washington, Guillaume Michel, earlier said the matter does not just affect Mexico but also has consequences for the United States, BBC News reported.

Ed Calderon, a former police officer in Tijuana, noted that the security measures imposed on the border "are almost a joke." Calderon added that the border is "porous" and that it was easy to get "a gun or rifle on Mexico." Legal experts noted that the chances of the case being successful are "small."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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