Re: Smith & Wesson Brands v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos

Adam H. Kerman <ahk@chinet.com> wrote:

danny burstein <dannyb@panix.com> wrote:

Adam H. Kerman <ahk@chinet.com> writes:

[snip]

The second problem with the lawsuit is Mexico's allegation of willful
misconduct in distribution, that S&W had knowledge of which avenues of
distribution were leading to illegal export.

The problem here seems to be lack of evidence. Forgive me, but Mexico
never found the "smoking gun" document as arms manufacturers keep
themselves well insulated from ultimate users of their products.

per the summary I heard on, maybe NPR?, Mexico is alleging
the gun manufacturers kept selling through dealers that
had numerous ATF and other citations against them.

(which brings up that other whole issue).

We'll see...

In the supply chain, intent may be provable against the straw buyer. For
everyone else in the supply chain, it's a wink and a nod.

Prove a different crime that doesn't require proving intent to aid and
abet crimes committed by cartels.

Around here, the most notorious gun shop has closed its doors, Chuck's
Gun Shop and Pistol Range, Riverdale, Illinois. It was a leading local
source of guns recovered at crime scenes in Chicago. The store would
repeatedly sell to obvious straw buyers, clearly accompanied by a gang
banger with an arrest record, nervous, being told what to say and do.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/06/notorious-firearm-store-linked-to-illegal-weapons-closes/