• The Supreme Court unanimously blocks a lawsuit by Mexico against U.S. gun manufacturers.
• Mexico sought $10 billion in damages, claiming U.S. guns fuel cartel violence.
• The ruling is based on the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which protects gunmakers from liability.
• The Court found insufficient evidence linking gun manufacturers to illegal sales to Mexican traffickers.
• This decision has implications for U.S.-Mexico relations and ongoing gun control debates.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Thursday to block a high-profile lawsuit from the Mexican government against major U.S. gun manufacturers, including Smith & Wesson and Beretta, which aimed to hold them responsible for rampant violence caused by drug cartels using their firearms. The Court upheld the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), a law that largely shields firearms manufacturers from liability in cases where their products are misused in criminal activities, according to CBS News, HuffPost, and New York Times.

The lawsuit, originally filed in 2021, sought to secure $10 billion in damages from U.S. gun manufacturers, alleging that they knowingly facilitated illegal gun sales to straw purchasers who subsequently supplied Mexican cartels. The Court's opinion, delivered by Justice Elena Kagan, highlighted that Mexico's claims did not satisfy the necessary legal standards under PLCAA, stating that there was no plausible allegation of aiding and abetting illegal sales to traffickers, according to Reuters, ABC News, and Newsweek.

Despite recognizing the severity of gun violence in Mexico and the role of U.S. firearms, the Court ruled that even findings of negligence or indifference were insufficient to support a case under existing federal law. Justice Kagan emphasized that the plaintiffs must show direct involvement of manufacturers in the illegal sales, which Mexico failed to do, as detailed in Los Angeles Times and Al Jazeera.

The Supreme Court's decision could set a precedent regarding future lawsuits concerning gun manufacturers and their liability for violence attributed to their products, further complicating the discussions surrounding gun control laws and responsibilities. Additionally, it could impact U.S.-Mexico relations as both countries grapple with issues related to drug trafficking and firearms control, according to Reuters and CBS News.