Two Central American countries, 12 U.S. states and the District of Columbia are supporting a lawsuit filed in U.S. federal court by Mexico against gun manufacturers for allegedly marketing their products to criminal organizations. Antigua and Barbuda, a Caribbean island state, and Belize, the only English-speaking Central American country, on Monday filed an amicus brief supporting Mexico's claims.
"Violent crime has gravely harmed [Latin American and Caribbean] nations and their citizens, especially in recent years. A substantial portion of this violence has been perpetrated using firearms unlawfully trafficked from the United States," wrote attorneys for the two countries in the brief.
"Unlawful trafficking of American firearms must be curtailed at its source: the U.S. gun industry. The gun manufacturers and distributors from a single nation must not be permitted to hold hostage the law-abiding citizens of an entire region of the world," they added.
The lawsuit's defendants include gun manufacturers Smith & Wesson, Barret, Beretta, Colt, Glock, Sturm and Ruger & Co.
The Mexican government on Monday countered a motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by the defendants based on the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
"Defendants design and manufacture weapons of war, then market and sell them in ways they know routinely arm the drug cartels in Mexico," wrote attorneys for the Mexican government.
"Defendants' motion to dismiss the Complaint seeks impunity for this conduct. They deny that they help move their guns into Mexico, and they contend that, even if they do, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act ("PLCAA") precludes this lawsuit," they added.
Poster Comment:
Countersuit: I live in the USA, foreign nationals from plaintiff countries have caused more damage to me and my quality of life than have been suffered by plaintiffs.