Mexico has sued
several US-based gun manufacturers in a US federal court for allegedly reckless
business practices that supply a “torrent” of illegal arms to violent Mexican
drug cartels, leading to thousands of deaths, according to a Reuters report.

According to the
lawsuit filed by the Mexican government, units of Smith & Wesson, Barrett
Firearms, Colt’s Manufacturing Company, Glock Inc, Sturm, Ruger & Co and
others allegedly knowingly encouraged illegal arms trafficking into Mexico.

The lawsuit cites
weapons that had found way into Mexico in notorious shootings. The lawsuit also
noted that Colt’s .38 caliber “Emiliano Zapata 1911” pistol is engraved with
the image of the Mexican revolutionary, and is greatly coveted by drug cartels.

Upon being asked
what the objective was in pursuing such a lawsuit against the powerful US arms
industry, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said that the suit has been
filed so that the companies “compensate Mexico’s government for the damage
caused by their negligent practices”.

This lawsuit is
one of the boldest steps taken by Mexico to take on the US arms industry, which
according to Mexican leaders, has been fueling gang violence for years.

Mexican officials
told the media that the lawsuit sought an estimated $10 billion. Companies need
to put an immediate stop to their harmful practices, said the Mexican foreign
minister.

While the
companies against whom the lawsuit has been filed are yet to comment on it, the
National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has come out in support of these gun
manufacturers and rejected the claim that US-based gun makers were negligent in
their business practices.

“The Mexican
government is responsible for the rampant crime and corruption within their own
borders,” said NSSF’s senior vice president Lawrence G. Keane adding that Mexican
drug cartels use guns illegally taken to Mexico or stolen from the Mexican
military and law enforcement.