Mexico Suing U.S. Gunmakers Over Cartel Violence in Supreme Court

In an unprecedented case before the U.S. Supreme Court, Mexico is suing American gun manufacturers, claiming they are complicit in the flow of firearms to drug cartels responsible for widespread violence in Mexico. The Mexican government argues that a significant percentage of weapons used in crimes come from the U.S., where they are legally purchased and smuggled across the border. This lawsuit, Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos, seeks billions in damages and new restrictions on the marketing of military-style firearms. The case emerges amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Mexico, with the Trump administration implementing tariffs on Mexican goods and designating Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations. Critics of the lawsuit point to the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which shields gun manufacturers from liability for crimes committed with their products. Supporters argue that addressing the supply of guns is essential to curbing cartel violence and its spillover effects into the U.S.