Texas Border Business
TEXAS BORDER BUSINESS
On June 5, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously dismissed a $10 billion lawsuit filed by the Mexican government against American gun manufacturers, including Smith & Wesson and Beretta. The Court ruled that the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) shields these companies from liability for crimes committed with their products.
Justice Elena Kagan, writing for the Court, stated that Mexico’s complaint did not plausibly allege that the gunmakers knowingly aided and abetted illegal firearms trafficking. The decision emphasized that the PLCAA was enacted to prevent lawsuits attempting to hold gun manufacturers accountable for the criminal misuse of their products by third parties.
The lawsuit, originally filed in 2021, accused U.S. gun companies of contributing to cartel violence by facilitating the flow of firearms into Mexico. However, the Court found that the allegations did not meet the legal standards required to overcome the protections granted by the PLCAA.
This ruling reinforces the legal protections afforded to firearm manufacturers under U.S. law, limiting their liability for crimes committed with their products.
