‘We’re going to see’: Mexico vows to continue $10B gun lawsuit fight after Supreme Court loss

The Mexico’s attempt to hold major U.S. firearm manufacturers responsible for cartel violence, rejecting a $10 billion lawsuit on Thursday. The decision relies on the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), a 2005 law that largely protects gunmakers from being held liable when their products are used in crimes.

Justice Elena Kagan, writing for the court, explained that Mexico did not provide enough evidence to show that the manufacturers knowingly helped gun dealers make illegal sales to Mexican traffickers. Per CNN, the court found that while Mexico’s complaint mentioned some illegal sales and the manufacturers’ awareness of them, it did not provide enough detail to prove the companies intentionally ed or encouraged these violations.

Since Mexico’s case did not meet this standard, the manufacturers kept the legal protection given to them by the PLCAA. Mexico’s lawsuit, filed in 2021 against Smith & Wesson, Beretta, Colt, Glock, and other major manufacturers, claimed that the companies’ business practices contributed to the widespread cartel violence in Mexico. According to AP news, the Mexican government pointed out that at least 70% of weapons found at crime scenes in Mexico come from the United States, even though Mexico has strict gun control laws, with only one legally licensed gun store in the entire country.

Supreme Court throws out Mexico’s lawsuit

Mexico argued that the manufacturers knowingly allowed guns to be smuggled into the country and profited from this illegal market. The manufacturers, however, denied these claims, saying they are not responsible for how individuals use their products.

The PLCAA usually prevents lawsuits against gun manufacturers for crimes committed with their firearms. Mexico tried to get around this legal barrier by using a narrow exception in the law that applies when the companies themselves are accused of breaking the law. The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston had initially allowed the case to move forward under this exception, but the Supreme Court overturned that decision.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation praised the Supreme Court’s ruling, calling it “a tremendous victory for the firearm industry and the rule of law.” Lawrence Keane, senior vice president and general counsel, added that gunmakers work with U.S. authorities to stop gun trafficking. On the other hand, David Pucino, legal director at the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, said the ruling does not affect similar cases and that “all survivors… deserve their day in court.”

Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, acknowledged the Supreme Court’s decision but stressed that the country will continue its legal fight. She mentioned a separate lawsuit filed in 2022 against five Arizona gun shops and distributors, saying, “There are two trials. We’re going to see what the result is, and we’ll let you know.”

This comes shortly after the Gulf of America received its name. The shore s for around 14% of the U.S’s crude oil and natural gas production. Mexico was not happy about it, but this gun lawsuit is just one in a series where Mexico isn’t ending up the victor.