The Supreme Court announced Friday it will hear arguments between gun manufacturers and Mexico after the Mexican government accused the companies of aiding and abetting traffickers and cartels.
The justices will decide if the gunmakers are the proximate cause of injuries committed by the cartels in Mexico and if they’ve helped criminals cross the border.
The legal battle involves Smith & Wesson, Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Glock, Beretta, Witmer Public Safety Group, Interstate Arms, Colt’s Manufacturing, Century International Arms and Sturm, Ruger.
In the gunmakers’ appeal to the Supreme Court, they argued that the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was wrong in permitting Mexico’s lawsuit to advance, warning that other foreign governments could file lawsuits “all seeking to distract from their own political failings by laying the blame for criminal violence at the feet of the American firearms industry.”
Mexico argues that 90% of guns recovered from crimes are trafficked from a specific group of gun dealers.
A U.S. district court dismissed the case under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, reasoning it bars lawsuits against firearm companies when their products are misused.
The 1st Circuit reversed that decision, reasoning that the lawsuit is valid because the gun companies may be aiding and abetting cartels.
It’s unclear when the justices will hear oral arguments in the case, Smith & Wesson Brands v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos, as no date has been announced.
The justices’ new term will run from next week through June.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.
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