US Supreme Court Rejects Mexico Gunmaker Liability Lawsuit

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled against Mexico's $10 billion lawsuit seeking to hold American gun manufacturers liable for gun violence linked to drug cartels in Mexico, citing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), which shields gunmakers from civil liability for misuse of their products by third parties. The Court, led by Justice Elena Kagan, found that Mexico's claims that manufacturers knowingly supplied dealers who illegally sold guns to traffickers did not meet the legal standard for liability under the PLCAA's exceptions. Mexico argues that 70-90% of guns recovered at crime scenes in Mexico originate from the U.S., and that the gunmakers' practices, including bulk sales and culturally targeted designs, contribute to cartel violence. Critics, including gun violence prevention advocates, stress the ruling undermines national security and public safety and call on Congress to repeal PLCAA to provide justice for victims of gun violence both domestically and internationally. The decision highlights ongoing challenges with illegal gun trafficking across the U.S.-Mexico border, despite Mexico's strict gun control laws and President Trump's pressure on Mexico to curb drug trafficking. This ruling reaffirms Congress's broad protections for gun manufacturers while intensifying debates over gun industry accountability and cross-border violence.