Federal judge rules on lawsuit filed by the Government of Mexico against negligent firearm companies

• The Government of Mexico will appeal this decision by the District Court.
• This action has been recognized as innovative and courageous.
• The judge's decision does not overshadow the progress made by the Government of Mexico to combat illicit firearms trafficking.

Today, a federal judge of the District Court in Boston, Massachusetts, ruled on the lawsuit filed by the Government of Mexico against the negligent practices of certain US companies that manufacture, distribute, and sell firearms, which facilitate the illicit trafficking of these weapons into Mexico.

After underscoring the arguments of the Government of Mexico, the judge ruled that the defendant companies are protected by US law and, for such reason, the Court is impeded from questioning the will of the U.S. Congress, "even when the indications of the lawsuit may evoke an empathetic response".

The judge also stated that "even though the Court has considerable empathy for the people of Mexico, and none for those who traffic weapons to criminal organizations, it must abide by the provisions of the law."

This is an unprecedented action brought by the Government of Mexico to prevent firearms, especially high powered ones, from causing violence in our country. The Government of Mexico will appeal the decision of the trial judge and will insist that the arms trade must be responsible, transparent, and accountable, as well as that the negligent way in which firearms are sold in the United States makes it easier for criminals to access them.

This action by the Government of Mexico has received worldwide recognition and has been considered a turning point in the discussion about the responsibility of the arms industry in the violence experienced in Mexico and the region. US state attorneys as well as prosecutors, academics, civil society organizations and other countries' governments support the Government of Mexico in this action.

The Government of Mexico will continue its effort to put an end to illicit arms trafficking. The civil lawsuit for damages against those who profit from the violence suffered by Mexicans now goes into a second stage, in which the Foreign Ministry will insist that the negligence of these companies is seriously affecting our country.