The US Supreme Court rules against Mexico and in favor of US gun makers
The Mexican government sued seven U.S. gun manufacturers, alleging that they aided and abetted illegal gun sales to cartel organizations in Mexico. The decision to rule in favor of Smith & Wesson Brands and against the Mexican government was unanimous. Mexico’s argument was based on a third party’s use of the sued company’s products.
From Fox News:
“The kinds of allegations Mexico makes cannot satisfy the demands of the statute’s predicate exception,” Justice Elena Kagan wrote for the court.
Kagan noted the exceptions in the law would allow a lawsuit against the gun makers if they “proximately caused” Mexico harm.
“Mexico’s complaint, for the reasons given, does not plausibly allege such aiding and abetting,” Kagan wrote. “So this suit remains subject to PLCAA’s general bar: An action cannot be brought against a manufacturer if, like Mexico’s, it is founded on a third party’s criminal use of the company’s product.”
The Supreme Court concluded that the “proximate cause” standard meant the U.S. manufacturers could not be sued when the complex commerce pipeline goes from them to wholesalers, distributors, rogue retail dealers, straw purchasers, smugglers and then to the Mexican cartels.
The case came before the high court during a delicate time for both countries, politically and diplomatically.
The Trump administration has pushed the Mexican government to better patrol its border to block drugs and migrants from entering the United States, while Mexican officials have demanded the U.S. stop military-style firearms from ending up in Mexico — fueling the very drug crisis both sides seek to end.
During the proceedings, attorneys for Mexico, which has strict gun sale restrictions, argued the country should be allowed to file a $10 billion civil lawsuit in U.S. courts.
The gun makers countered that their standard business practices were being unfairly targeted and that they had no awareness that their products had been illegally transported into Mexico.
Additional Reading:
Oliver, A., Mears, B., & Bream, S. (2025, June 5). Supreme Court sides with US gunmakers in case centered on Mexican cartel violence. Fox News. Link.
Category: International Affairs, Second Amendment
They had to rule against Mexico. Federal law which was upheld years ago by said court bars gun manufacturers from being liable for the misuse of their products to commit crimes.
I should add that the exception is where the manufacturer actively does something to promote and proximately cause the criminal action or misuse of their products or where a defect in the function of the product causes injury.
Dang, does this mean that I can’t get moving violations thrown out even though the car made me do it?
And you can’t sue utensil manufacturers because their products made you fat.
Every Attorney who took part in that lawsuit can practice coprophagy for the rest of their lives.
Eat more fiber out there!
Probably tastes better than the prep shit they give you before your procedure.
That gallon of green liquid is the worst.
Now SCOTUS needs to reverse the Sandy Hook decision.
The Mex gov should have gone Fast and Furious with a lawsuit against the JEF and his buddies. Just saying
They wouldn’t dare. The cartels made out pretty well on that operation. And they’re not about to let the Mexican “government” mess that up. Plata o plomo is still the law of the land.
Remington’s insurer (not Remington/”Freedom Group” itself, contrary to what the media says) already settled unfortunately.
I heard som English Europussies bought Remington.
Cerebus owns Freedom group which includes Mitt Romney among its members so I guess so.
Remington ammunition was purchased by a CSG which is a Chec group and is European owned. Guess which president in 2023 approved the sale of the country’s largest private ammunition maker to a foreign entity? I’ll give you a clue; it’s first name is Auto.
Thanks for that info.