A U.S. federal judge in Massachusetts again dismissed the Mexican government's $10 billion lawsuit against six U.S. gun manufacturers on Wednesday. Mexico argued the companies knew the weapons were being sold to smugglers into Mexico and decided to profit from that market.
However, the judge ruled that Mexico had not provided concrete evidence that the activities of the six Massachusetts companies were related to the suffering caused by firearms in Mexico.
Mexico's Foreign Relations Department said Wednesday the ruling would allow a lawsuit to proceed against a seventh manufacturer and a major firearms dealer.
Regarding the dismissal of the lawsuit against the other parties, the department said, “Mexico is analyzing its options, including filing an appeal.”
The case has become a rapidly evolving legal battle. In early 2022, six companies, not including a seventh manufacturer, filed to challenge Mexico’s claims based on broad protections afforded to gun manufacturers by a 2005 U.S. law, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Firearms Act, or PLCAA.
The law protects gun manufacturers from damages “resulting from criminal or unlawful misuse of firearms.” A federal judge ruled to strike it down on that basis.
Mexico then appealed the ruling, and in January, the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals in Massachusetts revived the lawsuit, saying that the PLCAA does not apply to claims that firearms cause death, damage and injury in Mexico.
The Mexican government estimates that about 70% of the weapons trafficked into Mexico come from the U.S., according to the Foreign Ministry. (th/ab)
