Supreme Court to Hear Smith & Wesson v. Mexico in $10 Billion Gun Lawsuit

Oct 4, 2024, 04:52 PM

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal in Smith & Wesson v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos, a case in which the Mexican government is suing seven U.S. gun manufacturers, including Smith & Wesson and firearms wholesaler Interstate Arms, seeking $10 billion in damages. The lawsuit accuses the companies of aiding in the illegal trafficking of firearms to Mexican drug cartels and alleges that their business practices have contributed to widespread violence in Mexico. Previously, the First Circuit Court of Appeals allowed the lawsuit to proceed, rejecting the gun manufacturers' argument that they are shielded by the 2005 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), which grants gun makers broad immunity from liability. This marks the first time the Supreme Court will weigh in on the PLCAA, and its decision could have significant implications for the gun industry and international efforts to hold manufacturers accountable for cross-border crimes.