The Supreme Court is considering a lawsuit filed by the Mexican government against U.S. gun manufacturers, seeking to hold them accountable for the violence in Mexico. The gun companies, including Smith & Wesson and Colt, are asking for the lawsuit to be thrown out, citing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which restricts lawsuits against arms manufacturers. The Mexican government accuses the companies of selling guns to dealers who later sell them to criminals, leading to violence in Mexico. The government is seeking up to $10 billion in damages.
There are increased tensions between American and Mexican leaders due to issues such as drug trafficking and gang violence. President Trump has announced new tariffs against Mexico, leading Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to crack down on gun smuggling from the U.S. Democrats in Washington have introduced legislation to reduce the flow of guns across the border.
The case involves two companies, Smith & Wesson and Interstate Arms, with other manufacturers having had claims against them dismissed. The Mexican government is focusing on a narrow exception to the liability shield, arguing that the manufacturers knowingly violated gun laws and caused harm. The gunmakers, however, argue that the lawsuit is barred by the federal law and that Mexico’s arguments for liability rely on linking multiple independent third parties to the defendants. The case presents a complex legal challenge that the Supreme Court will need to decide.
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