High Court Decision Favors Gun Industry in Mexico’s Lawsuit

The U.S. Supreme Court has sided with the American gun industry in a significant lawsuit brought by Mexico, unanimously overturning a lower court’s decision. The ruling effectively spares Smith & Wesson and Interstate Arms from allegations of aiding illegal firearms trafficking to drug cartels, bolstering the protections afforded by the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
Mexico’s lawsuit, filed in Boston, contended that the gun companies deliberately maintained a distribution system that facilitated “straw purchases,” leading to weapons being diverted to Mexican cartels. The suit also accused the companies of unlawfully designing and marketing “military-grade” weapons to appeal to cartel demand.
However, the Supreme Court found Mexico’s allegations insufficient to establish that the companies had “aided and abetted” unlawful sales. Justice Elena Kagan, writing for the unanimous court, stated that the complaint did not plausibly plead such conduct, referencing the 2005 federal law.
This legal outcome arrives during a period of considerable friction between the U.S. and Mexico, with ongoing disagreements over trade tariffs, drug trafficking, and migrant flows. Mexico has consistently highlighted the devastating impact of US-made firearms on its security and economic stability.