: Mexico Is Suing U.S. Firearm Manufacturers Over Gun Trafficking Toll #WorldNEWS (MEXICO CITY) — The Mexican government sued United States gun manufacturers and distributors Wednesday in U. S.

Mexico Is Suing U.S. Firearm Manufacturers Over Gun Trafficking Toll #WorldNEWS
(MEXICO CITY) — The Mexican government sued United States gun manufacturers and distributors Wednesday in U. S. federal court, arguing that their negligent and illegal commercial practices have unleashed tremendous bloodshed in Mexico.
The unusual lawsuit was filed in U. S. federal court in Boston. Among those being sued are some of the biggest names in guns, including: Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. ; Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc. ; Beretta U. S. A. Corp. ; Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC, and Glock Inc. Another defendant is Interstate Arms, a Boston-area wholesaler that sells guns from all but one of the named manufacturers to dealers around the U. S.
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The manufacturers did not immediately answer requests for comment.
Read more: Guns in America—What 245 Americans Think About the Issue
The Mexican government argues that the companies know that their practices contribute to the trafficking of guns to Mexico and facilitate it. Mexico wants compensation for the havoc the guns have wrought in its country.
The Mexican government “brings this action to put an end to the massive damage that the Defendants cause by actively facilitating the unlawful trafficking of their guns to drug cartels and other criminals in Mexico,” the lawsuit said.
The government estimates that 70% of the weapons trafficked to Mexico come from the U. S. , according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry. And that in 2019 alone, at least 17,000 homicides were linked to trafficked weapons.
Alejandro Celorio, legal advisor for the ministry, told reporters Wednesday that the damage caused by the trafficked guns would be equal to 1. 7% to 2% of Mexico’s gross domestic product. The government will seek at least billion in compensation, he said. Mexicos GDP last year was more than . 2 trillion. “We don’t do it to pressure the United States,” Celorio said. “We do it so there aren’t deaths in Mexico. ”
Ebrard said the lawsuit was another piece of the government’s efforts against guns. “The priority is that we reduce homicides,” he said. “We aren’t looking to change American laws. ”
Mexico did not seek the advice of the U. S. government on the matter, but advised the U. S. Embassy before filing the lawsuit.
Steve Shadowen, the lead attorney representing Mexico, said that in the early 2000s about 30 U. S. cities brought similar litigation against gun manufacturers arguing that they should be responsible for increased police, hospitalization and other costs associated with gun violence.
As some cities started winning, gun manufacturers went to Congress and got an immunity statute for the manufacturers.