On August 7th, U.S. District Court Judge Dennis Saylor of Boston threw out the majority of claims made against U.S. gun manufacturers made by Mexico.
The lawsuit was originally filed in 2021 against 8 U.S. firearm makers, with our neighbors to the south claiming that the companies bear responsibility for the arming of drug cartels south of the border. Specifically, Sturm, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Barrett, Beretta, Glock, Colt, and Witmer Public Safety Group were all named in the litigation. Having been dismissed by a lower court in 2022, the case was revived in January 2024.
Despite the existence of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act of 2005, which protects gun manufacturers from liability in the event of unlawful misuse of their products, Mexico appealed on the basis that the law is not applicable outside of U.S. jurisdiction. Essentially, Mexico is using its status as a foreign nation to supersede established laws protecting firearm producers. The success of their appeal was lauded as a victory by Mexico and domestic gun control activists.
Mexico’s primary argument, deflecting responsibility for the dire state of their nation, claims that American companies are to blame for the over 500,000 firearms entering Mexico annually and the 30,000 gun-related deaths. In their arguments, gun manufacturers are accused of facilitating the flow of weapons into Mexico and empowering drug cartels. Rather than strengthening border controls, addressing internal issues, or confronting the cartels, Mexico is choosing to spend its time and taxpayer dollars on suing American corporations.
Thankfully, the $10 billion lawsuit was mostly rejected by Saylor, who stated that Mexico’s assertions on the responsibility of gun manufacturers were “gossamer-thin” at best. Six of the eight producers were exonerated, while Smith & Wesson and Witmer Public Safety Group continue to face legal challenges in Boston. The foreign ministry of Mexico has vowed to continue its unjustified onslaught against all of the companies through either appeals or different U.S. courts.
The maintenance of legal precedent for at least most of the companies listed is promising news for gun rights advocates, especially in a place like Boston. The PLCAA has been under constant attack by gun-grabbing politicians and organizations alike since its inception, with the aggressors attempting to not only financially harm gun manufacturers but also have them shut down for good. This would be an important step towards their final goal of disarming the American population.
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