Accountability for Gun Violence: What’s Next In Mexico’s Case Against U.S. Gun Manufacturers?

In January, a federal appeals panel in Massachusetts ruled that a civil lawsuit filed by Mexico against U.S. gun manufacturers for aiding and abetting illegal sales could proceed, reversing a lower court that had dismissed the case. The lawsuit has important implications not only for armed violence in the United States and Mexico, but also for European and other manufacturers who produce weapons in the US.

This timely event explored the recent decision in Massachusetts as well as developments in the Arizona case. Fadia Ibrahim introduced the litigation from the perspective of the Mexican government, both in terms of Mexico’s claims and its alleged harm. Carlos Pérez Ricart outlined the stakes of the lawsuits from the security perspective in Mexico and the United States. Jonathan Lowy discussed the Circuit Court’s decision and outlined next steps, including the implications that discovery might provide for additional legal avenues in the United States.  Leila Sadat explored how evidence presented could feed into further U.S. litigation, including possible human rights-based claims. León Castellanos-Jankiewicz moderated and added perspectives from international and European law.

This event was co-organized by the Forum on the Arms Trade and the Asser Institute for International and European Law. The Forum and the Institute provide a platform for expert views but do not themselves take positions.

Panelists:

• Fadia Ibrahim, Director of International Litigation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mexico
• Jonathan Lowy, Founder and President, Global Action on Gun Violence
• Carlos Pérez Ricart, Professor of International Relations, Center for Research and Teaching in Economics (CIDE, Mexico) 
• Leila Sadat, James Carr Professor of International Criminal Law, Washington University and Fellow, Schell Center for Human Rights, Yale Law School
• Moderator: León Castellanos-Jankiewicz, Senior Researcher, Asser Institute for International and European Law, The Hague