The legal consultant of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), Alejandro Celorio, affirmed that the Mexican government seeks to reach the final consequences in the lawsuit against eight armories.
The federal government, it is worth mentioning, seeks to hold companies responsible for negligence in the sale of weapons that is related to the high number of intentional homicides in the country.
At a press conference, Celorio commented that in a trial the possibility that the defendant seeks an agreement is always open.
“There is a precedent where one of the companies, Smith & Wesson, agreed to make several changes to its commercial practices to its business model, it never fulfilled what was agreed, but there is a precedent where the company, faced with the threat of a demand for large proportions agreed to make a change in their practices, I repeat, they never complied,” he said.
However, the foreign ministry consultant added that for the moment “the instructions I have as coordinator of the litigation is to take this matter to the final consequences before the corresponding judicial instances, so for now I do not contemplate changing that until I receive instructions ”.
Celorio also noted that in yesterday’s hearing the defendant companies are Beretta; Barrett Firearms; Glock Inc; Witmer Public Safety Group; Colt’s Manufacturing; Century International; Smith & Wesson and Sturm, Ruger & Co, filed their arguments to dismiss the Mexican government’s lawsuit.
”That is what is currently at stake: the judge’s decision regarding whether or not to advance to the next stage in this judicial proceeding.
”Because it was a motion presented by the defendant companies, they began the presentation of their arguments; The judge, before giving the floor to the parties, indicated that he would not issue a resolution from the bench, that is, today (yesterday) —he told us at the beginning of the hearing—, the judge was not going to resolve”, he indicated. .
The jurist said that there are a total of eight motions filed by the armories to dismiss the Mexican lawsuit, however, he stated that if the lawsuit is dismissed in the first instance, the Mexican government will appeal said decision.
Judge questions demand
During the hearing, Boston District Judge F. Dennis Saylor questioned whether allowing the Mexican government to sue the armories could open the door for other countries to do the same.
“If the Ukrainians are using US-made military weapons or Smith & Wesson revolvers to defend themselves, can the Russian government come in and say they have harmed us?” she asked.
However, the Mexican defense argued that while other governments can sue, the US courts can dismiss the appeals if it is considered that there is some political reason involved. (With information from agencies)