Overview

• On June 5, the Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that Smith & Wesson and Interstate Arms are immune from Mexico’s trafficking allegations under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
• Justice Elena Kagan wrote that Mexico’s complaint failed to plausibly allege that the companies aided and abetted illegal weapons sales to drug cartels.
• Mexico had accused the firms of sustaining distribution networks with straw purchasers and marketing military-style firearms to traffickers in violation of US and Mexican laws.
• The lawsuit claimed more than 500,000 US-made guns are trafficked into Mexico each year, contributing to violence, economic decline and increased public healthcare and security costs.
• The litigation had tested US-Mexico relations as President Trump imposed tariffs on Mexican goods and criticized Mexico’s efforts on drug trafficking and border security.