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 U.S.. Moreover, a hearing is scheduled for February 22 in a separate case filed by Mexico in Arizona against gun retailers.

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

Discussion may be in English or Spanish, with simultaneous interpretation. This event is 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