Mexico wins appeal in lawsuit against US gunmakers filed in Boston

[Judi Lynn]

MND Staff
January 23, 2024



The Mexican government's lawsuit is the first made by a foreign country against U.S. gun manufacturers and the Foreign Affairs Ministry estimates it could be worth as much as US $10 billion in damages. (Smith & Wesson Inc./Facebook)

A United States appeals court ruled Monday that a US $10 billion lawsuit filed by Mexico against U.S.-based gun manufacturers in 2021 can proceed, annulling a lower court’s dismissal of the case.

The Boston-based United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit overturned Judge F. Dennis Saylor’s dismissal of the case against gunmakers including Smith & Wesson, Barrett Firearms, Beretta and Glock.

Mexico filed its lawsuit in August 2021, accusing seven gun manufacturers and one distributor of negligent business practices that have led to illegal arms trafficking and deaths in Mexico, where U.S.-sourced firearms are used in a majority of high-impact crimes.

In dismissing the case in September 2022, Saylor, chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, said that U.S. law “unequivocally” prohibits lawsuits that seek to hold gun manufacturers responsible when people use their products for their intended purpose.

More:
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/mexico-wins-appeal-in-lawsuit-against-us-gunmakers-filed-in-boston/

[Judi Lynn]

1. Mexico calls for investigation of US military weapons used by cartels

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024



Workers repair the entrance of City Hall riddled in large bullet holes in Villa Union, Mexico, December 2, 2019, after 22 people were killed in a weekend gun battle between a drug cartel and security forces


MEXICO has called for an urgent investigation into how drug cartels are using US military-grade weapons. The Latin American country’s army is finding increasingly more belt-fed machine guns, rocket launchers and grenades from the United States.

Foreign Relations Secretary Alicia Barcena said: “The [Mexican] Defence Department has warned the United States about weapons entering Mexico that are for the exclusive use of the US army.

“It is very urgent that an investigation into this be carried out.”

In June, the Mexican army said it has seized 221 fully automatic machine guns, 56 grenade launchers and a dozen rocket launchers from drug cartels since late 2018.

Mexico has long had a problem with semi-automatic rifles permitted for civilian use in the US being smuggled into Mexico, where only low-calibre firearms are permitted and strictly regulated. The country has launched legal action against US arms manufacturers and gun shops, arguing that they contribute to violence.

More:
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/mexico-calls-investigation-us-military-weapons-used-cartels

[Judi Lynn]

2. Landmark court decision allows Mexico to SUE American gun manufacturers for facilitating violence IN Mexico

The first of its kind
The Canary by The Canary 23 January 2024 in Global, News Reading Time: 2 mins read


The US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit just became the first court to uphold the right of a sovereign country – Mexico – to sue the gun industry, and the first federal appeals court to allow gun manufacturers to be held liable for facilitating gun violence since a US gun industry protection law was enacted in 2005.

Mexico: suing US gun companies
On Monday 22 January the Court ruled that Mexico v. Smith and Wesson, et al. – the first lawsuit brought by a national government against the gun industry – can proceed, reversing a trial court ruling that held that the federal gun industry shield law (PLCAA) prohibited it.

Global Action on Gun Violence is the only non-profit organisation working to end global gun violence through litigation, international action, and advocacy, and draws on over 25 years experience litigating against the gun industry.

Mexico’s lawsuit against six American gun manufacturers seeks to hold the companies accountable for facilitating gun trafficking across the border into Mexico and contributing to gun violence in that country. Global Action on Gun Violence’s president Jonathan Lowy is co-counsel for Mexico, along with Texas-based litigator Steve Shadowen.

More:
https://www.thecanary.co/global/2024/01/23/mexico-sue-us-gun-companies/