US Supreme Court to decide if Mexico can sue gun manufacturers

THE US SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR A CASE BROUGHT BY MEXICO AGAINST MAJOR AMERICAN GUN MANUFACTURERS, INCLUDING SMITH & WESSON, AS THE COMPANY BIDS TO HAVE THE SUIT THROWN OUT. MEXICO CLAIMS THESE COMPANIES ARE INDIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SURGE IN VIOLENCE CAUSED BY DRUG CARTELS. THE LAWSUIT ARGUES THAT GUNMAKERS HAVE ALLOWED FIREARMS TO BE TRAFFICKED INTO MEXICO, WHERE THEY FUEL DEADLY CRIMES.

AT THE HEART OF THE CASE IS THE ACCUSATION THAT MANUFACTURERS FAILED TO ENFORCE PROPER SAFEGUARDS AND DESIGNED WEAPONS FAVORED BY CARTELS, ALLOWING CRIMINALS EASY ACCESS TO DESIRABLE HIGH-POWERED FIREARMS. MEXICO SAYS THIS NEGLIGENCE HAS WORSENED CARTEL VIOLENCE, LEAVING THOUSANDS OF CIVILIANS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT DEAD OR INJURED.

THE GUN COMPANIES SAY THEY ARE PROTECTED BY US LAW. THE PROTECTION OF LAWFUL COMMERCE IN ARMS ACT SHIELDS MANUFACTURERS FROM BEING HELD LIABLE WHEN THEIR PRODUCTS ARE USED IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES. THE COMPANIES CLAIM THEY SELL THEIR FIREARMS LEGALLY AND ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE SALE.

LOWER COURTS HAVE ALLOWED MEXICO’S LAWSUIT TO MOVE FORWARD, BUT THE SUPREME COURT WILL NOW DETERMINE IF THE CASE SHOULD PROCEED. IF THE COURT SIDES WITH MEXICO, IT COULD OPEN THE DOOR FOR MORE INTERNATIONAL LAWSUITS AGAINST U.S. GUNMAKERS, POTENTIALLY RESHAPING THE FIREARMS INDUSTRY.

ACCORDING TO THE LAWSUIT, OVER 250-MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF FIREARMS ARE TRAFFICKED INTO MEXICO EVERY YEAR.

THE HEARING IS EXPECTED TO DRAW ATTENTION FROM BOTH GUN CONTROL ADVOCATES AND SECOND AMENDMENT DEFENDERS. THE OUTCOME COULD SET A NEW LEGAL PRECEDENT IN HOW GUN MANUFACTURERS ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR PRODUCTS ABROAD.

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FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS… I’M LAUREN TAYLOR.