Mexico Accuses Americans for Local Gang Violence

This week, the US Supreme Court revealed that it will contemplate dismissing the lawsuit filed by the Mexican government against Smith & Wesson Brands and wholesaler Witmer Public Safety Group Inc. The Mexican government claims that these companies are deliberately colluding with intermediaries to provide Mexican cartels with firearms.

Unproven Allegations

However, the Mexican plaintiffs have yet to provide concrete evidence to support these allegations. This lawsuit is part of a broader strategy by the Mexican government and its supporters to find a scapegoat for the country's skyrocketing homicide rates over the past two decades. The real culprits behind Mexico's crime issues are the country's corrupt state, its centralized government—which is only a federal government in name—and its laws that essentially prohibit gun ownership for peaceful, law-abiding citizens.

Mexican Crime and Gun Laws

Previously, the connection between Mexican crime and the country's laws and illegal gun running has been extensively discussed. Despite firearms being more prevalent in the United States than in Mexico, crime rates are significantly higher in Mexico. Even in border towns, American towns have considerably lower crime rates than their Mexican counterparts located just a few yards away across the border. In the United States, legal guns are abundant. In contrast, the Mexican government ensures that firearms are primarily in the hands of cartels.

The Blame Game

Mexico, like much of Latin America, has strict gun laws but high homicide rates. Gun control activists often blame the United States for this paradox. They argue that Mexicans circumvent their country's strict gun laws by simply crossing the border into the United States, where guns are easily accessible. These firearms are then brought into Mexico, leading to a higher homicide rate. However, this logic has several flaws. Even when accounting for all the black-market guns in Mexico, the number of guns is still significantly higher in the US. According to the 2007 Small Arms Survey, there are approximately 15 million privately-held guns in Mexico. This equates to fewer than 20 guns per 100 people in Mexico. In contrast, the United States has about 100 guns per 100 people.

Disputed Statistics

Furthermore, the frequently cited statistic claiming that up to 70 percent, or even 90 percent, of guns seized in Mexico originate from the US is incorrect. This figure is based solely on the guns seized and traced by the ATF. According to Stratfor, "almost 90 percent of the guns seized in Mexico in 2008 were not traced back to the United States." The Mexican government does not request the ATF to trace all guns seized in Mexico, as many of these weapons can be traced back to the Mexican government itself.

Bottom Line

It's clear that the issue of gun violence in Mexico is complex and multifaceted. While it's easy to point fingers and place blame, it's crucial to examine the root causes of these issues. What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you think the US is to blame for Mexico's gun violence, or should the Mexican government take more responsibility? Share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.