The Mexican government has won its appeal to bring a civil lawsuit against a number of American gun companies. Mexico, which has extremely restrictive gun laws, claims that the ‘deliberate’ business practices of these US firms results in the illegal flow of firearms into Mexico, contributing to the gun crime violence in the country. They are now seeking as much as ten billion dollars in compensation.
The gun companies, which include some of America’s oldest established names in the firearms business, deny any wrongdoing. Since 2005, these companies have being granted immunity from prosecution under the ‘Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act’. This law protects the firearms manufacturers and dealers from being held liable when crimes have been committed with their products. But Mexico’s argument is that PLCAA, as it’s also known, only applies within the United States and therefore doesn’t protect the companies from liability.
It’s a case which is also resonating with other Latin American countries who have been impacted by illegal gun trafficking from the United States. Some of these countries have supported Mexico’s claims in the courts. And they will be watching closely to see if Mexico’s lawsuit, the first by a sovereign state, can set a precedent.
So on this week’s Inquiry, we’re asking ‘Can Mexico win its battle with US gun companies?’
Contributors: Ioan Grillo, journalist and author focusing on Organised Crime, Mexico Adam Winkler, Cornell Professor of Law, UCLA School of Law, California, USA Robert Spitzer, Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of Political Science, SUNY Cortland; Adjunct Faculty Member, College of William and Mary School of Law, USA Dr. León Castellanos-Jankiewicz, Senior Researcher, Asser Institute for International and European Law; Academic Supervisor, International Law Clinic on Access to Justice for Gun Violence, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Presenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Jill Collins Journalism Researcher: Matt Toulson Editor: Tara McDermott Technical Producer: Cameron Ward Production Co-ordinator: Liam Morrey Image: Reuters via BBC Images
Should the knowledge needed to make the Covid-19 vaccines be freely available to all?
Did America get its response to the attacks of 9/11 right?
Which president is most responsible for the failure in Afghanistan?
Is our fascination with sharks bad for them?
Are our phones spying on us?
Can we run the world on electricity?
What’s behind the recent rioting in South Africa?
Why was the president of Haiti assassinated?
Can China raise its birth rate?
Why did so many indigenous children die in Canada’s residential schools?
Is Nigeria becoming impossible to govern?
Can we make the super-rich pay more tax?
Are the Tokyo Olympic games in trouble?
Could Covid-19 have come from a lab leak?
Belarus: Can President Lukashenko be overthrown?
Do we need more nuclear power to help deal with climate change?
What are NFTs and are they really the next big thing?
Why are murder rates in Chicago so high?
Will the Taliban rule Afghanistan again?
Is peace under threat in Northern Ireland?
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Global News Podcast
The Infinite Monkey Cage
Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
You’re Dead to Me
Elis James and John Robins