The legal consultant of the Secretariat of Foreign Relations (SRE), Pablo Arrocha, stated that the legal team of the Mexican government is prepared for the hearing that will take place in the Supreme Court of the United States on March 4. This hearing is a consequence of the lawsuit filed against gun manufacturers and stores that sell them.
Although the outcome of the hearing will not be known until June, the SRE declares it is ready to face any outcome, both in the Supreme Court and in the Tucson, Arizona court. The lawsuit was filed by the government of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on August 14, 2021, in the federal court of Boston, Massachusetts, against eight manufacturers and distributors of firearms.
During the International Forum on Arms Trafficking and Diversion in Latin America, organized by the Center for Research and Economic Teaching (CIDE), Arrocha pointed out that both lawsuits could provide broad legal strategies for the future. In particular, he highlighted that the lawsuit in the Tucson court is progressing favorably for Mexico, with a new phase focused on gathering evidence to address the substance of the case.
The lawsuits seek to promote greater control over the sale of firearms to reduce or prevent the illegal sending of weapons to Mexico, which later falls into the hands of criminal groups. Arrocha emphasized that they maintain constant communication with Jonathan Lowy, president of Global Action Against Gun Violence, and lawyer Steve Shadowen, legal representatives of Mexico in these cases.
In the Supreme Court hearing, nine briefs have been submitted representing various voices from Mexican and American society, as well as states and authorities from the U.S., supporting Mexico's position and arguments. These contributions are expected to have a positive impact on the efforts made in this regard.
