The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Daily: Mexican Cartels and American Guns
Apr 16, 2025
Jonathan Lowy, an attorney at Global Action on Gun Violence, discusses representing Mexico in its groundbreaking lawsuit against U.S. gun manufacturers. Freelance journalist Chantal Flores sheds light on cartel violence and the implications of American gun availability. The conversation highlights the legal complexities of gun liability, the urgent need for accountability, and the effects of U.S. firearms on Mexican public safety. They delve into the connections between gun trafficking and corruption, emphasizing a call for transparency and reform.
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U.S. Guns Fuel Cartel Violence
- Mexican cartels are heavily armed primarily due to the flood of illegal U.S.-made guns trafficked across the border.
- Mexico has strict gun laws making it hard to legally acquire firearms domestically, intensifying the problem caused by U.S. gun flows.
Cartels' Power and Gun Sources
- Mexican cartels are powerful transnational criminal groups with economic resources from diverse illegal activities.
- About 70% of firearms recovered at crime scenes in Mexico come from U.S. trafficking, fueling lethal violence.
Gun Dealers Drive Crime Gun Supply
- A small percentage of U.S. gun dealers supply the majority of crime guns through illegal sales.
- Gun manufacturers knowingly supply these irresponsible dealers to profit, fueling the illicit arms flow to cartels.