Mexico applauds U.S. vow to enforce long-ignored weapons ban

[jody]

Mexico applauds U.S. vow to enforce long-ignored weapons ban

MEXICO CITY – President Felipe Calderón said that his police and soldiers are dangerously outgunned because U.S. authorities are failing to stop the smuggling of high-powered weapons into Mexico. His attorney general called for more aggressive prosecutions of gun smugglers, saying that the U.S. constitutional right to bear arms doesn't protect them.

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Calderón has complained for two years that the U.S. isn't carrying its weight in the cross-border drug war, despite the fact that American drug users ultimately finance the cartels.

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President Barack Obama's administration is beginning to respond. On Wednesday, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder promised to enforce a long-ignored ban on importing assault weapons, many of which are resold illegally and smuggled into Mexico to resupply the cartels.

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Cartels turn to the U.S. because Mexico's gun laws are much stricter – gun buys must be pre-approved by the Mexican defense department and are limited to light weapons, no higher than the standard .38-caliber. Larger calibers are considered military weapons and are off-limits to civilians.

Why do politicians always blame others for their own inability and incompetence?

Does Calderón really believe Cartels will apply for a permit to buy firearms under Mexico's gun laws that he claims are much stricter than U.S. laws?

Calderon needs to issue arms to law-abiding citizens so they can defend themselves against criminals that Mexico’s law enforcement and military can’t conquer.

[HereSince1628]

1. "Why do politicians always blame others" in two words

human nature

People protect self-esteem by blaming personal failings on others. Politicians are people, too.

[FreakinDJ]

2. They can't issue Gun permits to Law-abiding Citizens

Too worried about being over-thrown.

And here is where the illegal boarder crossing are coming back to bite them in the arse.

But what makes them think they are crossing through the Northern boarder? Personally I believe it would come through the Southern Boarder of Mexico or the East Coast MUCH easier.

Right along with the shipments of Cocaine from Columbia

[jody]

3. Checkmate, "Right along with the shipments of Cocaine from Columbia" n/t

[jeepnstein]

4. Publish a list...

of weapons seized from American sources, with serial numbers and from whom it was taken. I don't believe this any more than I believe the WMD story. Mexico has failed to take the drug traffickers seriously. Mostly that's because they are getting paid off to look the other way. Now the government is about to lose their control and they're worried.

[tularetom]

5. Legalize gun ownership in Mexico and legalize drugs in the US

This shit would stop tomorrow.

[Xela]

12. Firearm ownership in Mexico

Contrary to a common (mis)belief, firearm ownership in Mexico is technically not a problem as along as the firearms are registered.

The problem is the lack of an open (albeit regulated) market.

As things stand in Mexico there is no practical way for Mexican citizens/residents to sell and buy firearms/ammo/parts/accessories.

All firearm sales are controlled by the state in Mexico City (there is literally only ONE gun store in all of Mexico, and the army runs it).

But in principle I understand what you're saying and I support it: let residents/citizens buy their firearms like we do in America and there will be drastic end to this firearms smuggling business.

Xela

[tularetom]

13. Actually drug legalization and loss of the potential for ginormous profits

would do more to stop the activities of the cartels than arming EVERY Mexican citizen. And save the US tons of money by ending the extremely costly and counterproductive "War on Some Drugs".

But I would support a proposal for ready access to firearms for all Mexicans just like I do for all Americans.

[Abq_Sarah]

14. Legalization would result

In more government regulation, oversight and taxation. You'd still have drug smugglers crossing the border to avoid the feds.

[benEzra]

16. Except there aren't any huge cross-border alcohol smuggling cartels

that kill thousands each year. The end of alcohol prohibition did indeed greatly reduce alcohol-related violence, and mostly ended large-scale smuggling.

Reasonable regulation doesn't drive profits like prohibition does, unless the regulation gets too strict.

[old mark]

6. This is all fuled by money - bribe money paid to Mexican and US

officials and politicians from the bottom up.
They are talking about full auto capable weapons, which are illegal without the special license, and they are talking about smuggling guns across a national border, which is illegal, period. How about if we enforce the existing laws?
Maybe the pols would lose too much money.....

mark

[FreakinDJ]

7. Culture of Corruption - paying off Big Time for Criminals

The country is a mess from the "Top - Down" due to the corruption at the TOP.

The Mexican Government has catered to the Wealthy Elite for Generations (ie: Coffee Barrons in Chiapaze), suppressing / curtailing the rights of the citizens. They have demonstrated to their own citizens - "Corruption Works", and expect them not to want to feed their families

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[iverglas]

8. "Does Calderón really believe Cartels will apply for a permit to buy firearms"

Uh, no. I doubt that he does.

This would kinda be the point, I do think.

We'll just file this one under "really really stupid questions", eh?

[Taitertots]

9. New Anti-gun Meme

Ban guns in America because there is crime in Mexico.

[bossy22]

10. one word...

CORRUPTION

thats the reason for these problems. I heard somewhere that 1/4 of the federal police in mexico are on the cartels pay roll- if that is true there is no hope for success against these guys.

The US can change its laws and comply with everything mexico wants but until the mexican government can get there act together these cartels will kill with impunity

[bossy22]

11. that ban may be heading towards the waste side soon

the sporting clause doesnt hold much water against Heller

[Tejas]

15. "Holder promised to enforce a long-ignored ban"

Can someone please tell me what "long-ignored ban" Holder is talking about?

Is there a ban that US Customs has been ignoring?

[Hoopla Phil]

18. I'd laugh except for all the foolish soles that think this would HELP a bad situation.