Supreme Court to take up Mexico’s lawsuit against US gunmakers
The Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether the government of Mexico can sue the leading gun manufacturers in the U.S. for allegedly fueling drug cartel violence south of the border.
The justices announced Friday that they will hear the gunmakers’ challenge to an appeals court ruling that would allow the unusual, $10 billion lawsuit to proceed in federal court in Boston.
A district court judge threw the case out two years ago, citing a 2005 law Congress passed to block an increasing number of suits seeking to hold gun manufacturers liable for violence and deaths involving firearms.
However, the Boston-based 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in January said the suit could proceed because the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act was aimed solely at limiting suits over the domestic market in weapons and because Mexico had alleged that the companies’ conduct amounted to “aiding and abetting” gun smuggling.
Mexico contends in its suit that over a half million firearms a year made in the U.S. wind up in Mexico, often reaching drug trafficking cartels. The illicit flow of weapons undercuts Mexico’s strict gun laws, the suit claims.
The suit, which targets major U.S. gunmakers including Smith & Wesson, Glock, Colt and Beretta, claims that the companies’ distribution, sales and marketing practices encourage sales to so-called “straw” buyers, who often bring the guns to Mexico or furnish them to others who do.
The gunmakers asked the Supreme Court to take up the case, arguing that it amounts to a backdoor effort to impose gun regulations Congress hasn’t passed or has allowed to expire, such as the assault weapons ban that was in effect from 1994 to 2004.
“Mexico makes no secret that it abhors this country’s approach to firearms, and that it wants to use the American court system to impose domestic gun controls on the United States that the American people themselves would never accept through the ordinary political process,” the companies’ attorneys wrote.
The firearms manufacturers also say the suit is flawed because those who traffic the weapons into Mexico are committing “multiple independent criminal acts” that don’t involve the companies.
The gun-related case was included Friday on a broader list of cases the Supreme Court announced it would take up in its upcoming term, which begins Monday. Other cases the justices agreed to hear include a dispute about permits to store nuclear waste in west Texas, a criminal false statements case involving former Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley’s nephew, and a legal fight related to the Food and Drug Administration’s power to regulate vaping.
The newly added cases are likely to be scheduled for argument early next year.
In separate orders Friday, the Supreme Court turned down an effort by power companies to block a Biden administration rule to limit emissions of mercury and other toxic metals from power plants, and the court rejected a bid from Republican-led states to halt a rule to reduce methane emissions during energy production. No justice noted any dissent from either order.
Date: |
Topics
-
Top stories - BBC News
Sean 'Diddy' Combs accused of sexually assaulting teenager in new lawsuits
Six new lawsuits are filed in New York with allegations spanning from 1995 to 2021.41 minutes ago -
World - Financial Times
Global business takes its chance to size up new Labour pitch
Starmer’s investment summit guests express both praise and doubt — but many want to wait to pass judgment2 hours ago -
Business - Financial Times
Global business takes its chance to size up new Labour pitch
Starmer’s investment summit guests express both praise and doubt — but many want to wait to pass judgment2 hours ago -
Business - MarketWatch
‘For years, I chalked it up to bad hearing’: My partner has signs of dementia. He’s already spent $750,000. How can I stop him from wiping us out?
“Some of these expenditures were along the lines of ‘Guess what I bought today?’ bad surprises.”2 hours ago -
Top stories - CBS News
New lawsuits accuse Diddy of sexual assault of 6 people, including a minor
A new wave of lawsuits filed Monday accuses Sean "Diddy" Combs of raping men and women and molesting a 16-year-old boy.2 hours ago -
Entertainment - ABC News
6 people accuse Diddy of sexual assault in new lawsuits, including man who was 16 at the time
A new wave of lawsuits filed Monday accuses Sean “Diddy” Combs of raping men and women and molesting a 16-year-old boy2 hours ago -
Business - MarketWatch
This 401(k) lawsuit showcases the power of a 50-year-old law
Erisa laid the foundation for retirement security, but more laws will bolster it in the years to come.2 hours ago -
Entertainment - ABC News
New batch of lawsuits accuse Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexual assault against six people, including a minor
New batch of lawsuits accuse Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexual assault against six people, including a minor2 hours ago -
Top stories - CBS News
Man arrested for allegedly making threats against FEMA employees
William Jacob Parsons, a 44-year-old man who was allegedly spotted armed with an assault rifle, was arrested and charged for making comments about possibly harming Federal Emergency Management ...3 hours ago -
Sports - CBS Sports
USMNT vs. Mexico predicted XI: Projecting lineup for USA soccer, why isn't Christian Pulisic playing?
Here's how the USMNT could line up on Tuesday night4 hours ago -
World - The New York Times
Supreme Court Ruling Means Italy’s ‘Bunga Bunga’ Saga Is Not Over
The ruling sets the stage for yet another trial related to the scandal involving Silvio Berlusconi, the former prime minister of Italy who died last year.5 hours ago -
Top stories - BBC News
Sara Sharif's father told police he killed her at home, court hears
Urfan Sharif claims his wife caused Sara's death and he was trying to protect her, a jury hears.6 hours ago -
Sports - ESPN
Pulisic, Pepi, McKennie to miss U.S.-Mexico game
Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi and Weston McKennie will miss the United States' friendly at Mexico on Tuesday in order to return to their clubs in Europe.6 hours ago - Mexico -
Sports - ESPN
Can Pochettino, Aguirre breathe new life into USMNT-Mexico?
The USMNT and Mexico are in desperate need of a reset, but will new hires Mauricio Pochettino and Javier Aguirre revitalize Concacaf's fallen giants?6 hours ago -
Sports - ESPN
USA-Mexico: Who makes the all-time XI for each team?
Ahead of a much-anticipated meeting, we look at the best starting lineups for each team.6 hours ago -
Sports - CBS Sports
Sorting NFL Sunday Pile, Week 6: Fear the Ravens, Cowboys spoil owner's birthday, NFC North reigns supreme
Breaking down the biggest stories of Week 6 of the 2024 season6 hours ago - NFL -
Top stories - CBS News
Mom killed by nerve agent was caught in global murder plot, court told
Dawn Sturgess died in 2018 after spraying herself with what she thought was perfume from a discarded bottle containing the deadly chemical weapon.7 hours ago -
World - CBS News
Mom killed by nerve agent was caught in global murder plot, court told
Dawn Sturgess died in 2018 after spraying herself with what she thought was perfume from a discarded bottle containing the deadly chemical weapon.7 hours ago -
Top stories - BBC News
Legal complaint filed against Fifa's 'abuse of dominance'
The top European leagues and players' union Fifpro file a legal complaint against Fifa over what they claim is an "abuse of dominance".7 hours ago -
World - Yahoo News
Violence against German police officers up 8% in 2023
7 hours ago - Germany -
World - Financial Times
How Harris and Trump court Latino voters
Succeeding politically with this demographic is crucial to winning the election8 hours ago - Donald Trump -
Sports - CBS Sports
New Mexico State vs. Louisiana Tech prediction, odds: 2024 college football Week 8 picks by proven model
SportsLine's model revealed its CFB picks and predictions for Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs. New Mexico State Aggies on Tuesday8 hours ago - College Football -
Politics - The Hill
Trump suggests using National Guard, military against 'enemy from within'
Former President Trump in a Sunday interview suggested using the National Guard or the military on Election Day to combat what he described as potential chaos from “the enemy from within” – a group ...9 hours ago - Donald Trump -
Top stories - CBS News
5 decapitated bodies found in Mexico, heads left in bag
The violence in Jalisco is blamed chiefly on the Jalisco Nueva Generacion Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico's most powerful and violent criminal groups.10 hours ago -
World - CBS News
5 decapitated bodies found in Mexico, heads left in bag
The violence in Jalisco is blamed chiefly on the Jalisco Nueva Generacion Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico's most powerful and violent criminal groups.10 hours ago -
World - ABC News
France’s far-right leader Marine Le Pen faces court on charges of embezzling EU funds
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is to answer the judges’ questions at a Paris court Monday as she and her National Rally party stand trial over the suspected embezzlement of European ...11 hours ago - European Union -
World - Yahoo News
France’s far-right leader Marine Le Pen faces court on charges of embezzling EU funds
11 hours ago - European Union -
World - The Guardian
Delta ex-flight attendant files lawsuit alleging retaliation, sexual harassment
Attorneys for Aryasp Nejat, fired in August, argue he is ‘one of the latest casualties’ of airline’s anti-union campaign. A former flight attendant at Delta Airlines has filed a lawsuit against the ...12 hours ago -
Top stories - BBC News
Five beheaded bodies found next to road in Mexico
The rural area, which is plagued by violence, is largely under the control of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel.12 hours ago - Mexico -
World - Financial Times
Polish opposition digs in against Tusk’s ‘iron broom’
A year after his election the pro-EU premier has repaired his country’s standing abroad but struggles at home17 hours ago -
Top stories - BBC News
Thousands of cars that crash in US are ending up in Russia
The South Caucasus nation of Georgia has a huge used car market, with many vehicles finding their way over the border.21 hours ago - Russia -
Top stories - NBC News
Ye's former assistant alleges sex trafficking, sexual assault in amended lawsuit
Ye’s former assistant filed an amended lawsuit against the rapper last week that accuses him of drugging and sexually assaulting her, trafficking others, using job openings to recruit sex partners ...Yesterday -
Sports - Yahoo Sports
USMNT release five players to clubs ahead of Mexico friendly
USA boss Mauricio Pochettino has allowed five of his players to return to their clubs ahead of a friendly with Mexico on Wednesday.The news was confirmed via an official press release in which it ...Yesterday -
World - Financial Times
Business takes centre stage
Plus, earnings season peaks, Nike’s new boss begins, Tokyo Metro IPO pricing unveiled and Labour woos UK investmentYesterday -
World - The Guardian
Limp Bizkit’s fraud lawsuit rattles music industry: ‘These accusations are massive’
Band alleges that Universal Music Group owes it more than $200m after concealing royalties. One of the world’s largest music companies has been accused of depriving “potentially hundreds” of ...Yesterday -
Tech - ABC News
US weighs asking court to break up Google as it weighs remedies in the antitrust case
The U.S. Department of Justice is considering asking a federal judge to force Google to sell parts of its business in order to eliminate its online search monopoly5 days ago - Google
More from Politico
-
Politics - Politico
Maine’s Jared Golden is ready to make things awkward for his fellow Democrats
Rep. Jared Golden may be the heir apparent to West Virginia’s Joe Manchin in trying to claw Democrats away from the left on issues like energy and the environment.6 hours ago -
Politics - Politico
Johnson: Congress coming back early for hurricane relief would be ‘premature’
Congress is not scheduled to be back in session until after the election.Yesterday -
Politics - Politico
Johnson doesn’t expect another Jan. 6. But he still has doubts about election integrity.
“I think there is going to be some cheating in this election. I think non-citizens are going to vote,” Johnson said.Yesterday -
Politics - Politico
The 5 factions Johnson has to appease to keep the speakership next year
His most outspoken and well-known critics are the nearly dozen GOP lawmakers who voted to advance an ouster effort against him earlier this year, but they’re not alone.2 days ago -
Politics - Politico
Senate Republicans to save millions of dollars on ads — thanks to the FEC
A paralyzed FEC won’t block Republicans from using a new strategy that allows them to run TV ads for their candidates at a fraction of the cost.3 days ago - Republican Party