In an audacious attempt to blame American gunmakers for violence fueled by Mexican drug cartels, Mexico has filed a $10 billion lawsuit against U.S. firearms manufacturers. The lawsuit alleges that these manufacturers are “aiding and abetting” cartel operations south of the border. But a coalition of at least 18 state attorneys general, led by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudson, has stepped up to defend our right to bear arms, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to dismiss this meritless case.
This week, a staggering 18 states signed on to an amicus brief supporting American gun manufacturers in their fight against Mexico’s baseless lawsuit. The brief, which includes a signed statement from 26 state attorneys general and the Arizona legislature, calls for the dismissal of the case, accusing the Mexican government of using the U.S. legal system to avoid confronting the real cause of cartel violence: its own failed policies.
The brief argues that Mexico’s inability or refusal to fight cartel violence is the root of the issue. Instead of addressing the rampant bloodshed and chaos, the Mexican government has repeatedly adopted a policy of appeasement, epitomized by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s disastrous “hugs, not bullets” approach. This strategy has been a total failure, leading to an explosive rise in violence, even during Obrador’s time in office, contradicting his claims that crime rates had decreased under his leadership.
The brief states that “Mexico’s policy decisions have caused cartel violence within its borders,” and firmly asserts that “a foreign nation should not be permitted to effectively deprive Americans of their Second Amendment rights” to solve its internal problems. As the coalition of attorneys general points out, it is Mexico’s own inaction and failure to tackle the cartel violence within its borders that is to blame, not U.S. gunmakers, who are merely providing law-abiding Americans with the means to defend themselves.
The entire premise of Mexico’s lawsuit is absurd. Not only does the Mexican government fail to provide evidence of U.S. manufacturers supplying weapons directly to cartels, but it also conveniently ignores the reality that weapons trafficking is a criminal act punishable under U.S. law. If Mexico wishes to combat cartel violence, it can take steps within its own borders—such as cracking down on gun smuggling and corruption—and stop pointing fingers at American gun manufacturers.
But this case isn’t just about Mexico playing the victim card; it’s about the insidious effort by left-wing elites and foreign powers to erode our constitutional rights. This lawsuit is nothing more than a backdoor attempt to stifle American gun makers and, by extension, infringe on the Second Amendment rights of American citizens. Mexico may want to blame the U.S. for their failures, but the truth is clear: if Mexico wants to fix its gun violence problem, it can do so without infringing on the rights of law-abiding Americans.
If Mexico truly cared about curbing cartel violence, it could start by addressing the internal problems of its own law enforcement and military. Mexico is a major importer of U.S.-made firearms, including military-grade rifles and ammunition—guns that have been traced back to criminal use in cartel violence. Last year alone, Mexico legally purchased more than $50 million worth of U.S. firearms, yet the country has been unable to ensure those weapons remain in the hands of their military and police forces. In fact, a 2009 audit found that 26% of legally imported firearms were diverted to the cartels.
Mexico’s desperate finger-pointing at American gun manufacturers doesn’t change the fact that it’s their failure to control their own borders and military arms supply chain that is causing the problem. If Mexico wants to end the flow of U.S. firearms into the hands of criminals, it could take responsibility for its own weapons imports and demand accountability from its armed forces.
We stand firm in our belief that the U.S. Supreme Court should reject Mexico’s lawsuit and uphold the rights of American gun manufacturers. The implications of allowing a foreign nation to impose its policy preferences on our legal system would set a dangerous precedent and open the floodgates for international meddling in our constitutional rights.
As this case progresses, it’s clear that America’s gun owners and Second Amendment advocates will not back down. We must remain vigilant in the face of such overreach, and we will continue to stand against any effort to weaken our rights. This is a battle we can’t afford to lose, and we will fight with everything we have to ensure that our right to keep and bear arms is not infringed by foreign entities or their political agendas.
Texas Gun Rights is the Lone Star State’s premier NO COMPROMISE gun rights organization. We are committed to defending your constitutional rights from every threat, both foreign and domestic. As the legislative session approaches, we need your support to continue pushing back against gun-grabbing efforts. Donate today to help us protect and preserve your right to keep and bear arms!
