Supreme Court Unanimously Dismisses Mexico's $10B Suit Against US Gun Makers

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled to dismiss Mexico's $10 billion lawsuit against American gun manufacturers, including Smith & Wesson, which accused them of facilitating cartel violence by allowing their firearms to be trafficked illegally. The Court cited the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), which protects gun makers from liability for crimes committed by third parties using their products unless the companies themselves directly violated the law. Justice Elena Kagan emphasized that Mexico's complaint failed to plausibly allege that the manufacturers aided or abetted unlawful sales to Mexican cartels, as the allegations were too general and did not meet the high legal standard required for aiding and abetting claims. The ruling clarified that merely selling guns that are later misused does not constitute liability, unless the manufacturers took specific steps to promote or participate in criminal conduct. This decision effectively shields U.S. gun makers from being held responsible for cartel violence linked to their products in Mexico. The case highlights the limits of holding manufacturers accountable for third-party criminal actions under current federal law.