Mexico City, Mexico — The Federal Court for the District of Arizona handed down a favorable ruling for Mexico in its lawsuit against five gun stores located in the state.
In October 2022, Mexico initiated the litigation arguing that the defendants, according to traceability data, facilitate the trafficking of high-powered weapons to Mexico.
In Monday’s ruling, Judge Rosemary Márquez established that the stores had various signals to know that the firearms they sold would end up in Mexico and that these would be used for illicit purposes.
For this reason, the Court recognized that Mexico has the right to sue on its own behalf and on behalf of its population.
Judge Rosemary Márquez noted that Mexico successfully argued that the stores do not enjoy immunity for their negligent business practices.
This decision is added to the favorable ruling of January 2024, issued within the framework of the first lawsuit presented by our country. In that ruling, a Court of Appeals ruled that weapons manufacturing companies do not enjoy immunity either and that they must respond for their conduct before a court.
Following Monday’s decision, the District Court can continue studying Mexico’s claim. In the following stages, evidence will be presented to demonstrate the negligent conduct of the defendants, seeking to obtain compensation for the damage that will be determined by the judge.
Although the defendants have the right to file an appeal, Monday’s decision is of great relevance for our country. Mexico is convinced that it is supported by legal and moral reason in its legal actions against illicit arms trafficking, and will continue to promptly defend its interests and those of its citizens through all means at its disposal.
This is the second lawsuit filed against actors in the arms trade chain.
In January of this year, the Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE) reported that the government of Mexico had won its appeal in a U.S. court against gun manufacturers and distributors whose business practices facilitate the trafficking of their products into Mexico.
