Legal U.S. gun sales to Mexico arming cartels

(CBS News) 

Selling weapons to Mexico - where cartel violence is out of control - is controversial because so many guns fall into the wrong hands due to incompetence and corruption. The Mexican military recently reported nearly 9,000 police weapons "missing."

Yet the U.S. has approved the sale of more guns to Mexico in recent years than ever before through a program called "direct commercial sales." It's a program that some say is worse than the highly-criticized "Fast and Furious" gunrunning scandal, where U.S. agents allowed thousands of weapons to pass from the U.S. to Mexican drug cartels.

CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson discovered that the official tracking all those guns sold through "direct commercial sales" leaves something to be desired.

One weapon - an AR-15-type semi-automatic rifle - tells the story. In 2006, this same kind of rifle - tracked by serial number - is legally sold by a U.S. manufacturer to the Mexican military.

Three years later - it's found in a criminal stash in a region wracked by Mexican drug cartel violence.

That prompted a "sensitive" cable, uncovered by WikiLeaks, dated June 4, 2009, in which the U.S. State Department asked Mexico "how the AR-15" - meant only for the military or police - was "diverted" into criminal hands.

And, more importantly, where the other rifles from the same shipment went: "Please account for the current location of the 1,030 AR-15 type rifles," reads the cable.

There's no response in the record.

The problem of weapons legally sold to Mexico - then diverted to violent cartels - is becoming more urgent. That's because the U.S. has quietly authorized a massive escalation in the number of guns sold to Mexico through "direct commercial sales." It's a way foreign countries can acquire firearms faster and with less disclosure than going through the Pentagon.

Here's how it works: A foreign government fills out an application to buy weapons from private gun manufacturers in the U.S. Then the State Department decides whether to approve.

And it did approve 2,476 guns to be sold to Mexico in 2006. In 2009, that number was up nearly 10 times, to 18,709. The State Department has since stopped disclosing numbers of guns it approves, and wouldn't give CBS News figures for 2010 or 2011.

With Mexico in a virtual state of war with its cartels, nobody's tracking how many U.S. guns are ending up with the enemy.

"I think most Americans are aware that there's a problem in terms of the drug traffickers in Mexico, increases in violence," said Bill Hartung, an arms control advocate with the Arms and Security Project at the Center for International Policy. "I don't think they realize that we're sending so many guns there, and that some of them may be diverted to the very cartels that we're trying to get under control."

The State Department audits only a tiny sample - less than 1 percent of sales - but the results are disturbing: In 2009, more than a quarter (26 percent) of the guns sold to the region that includes Mexico were "diverted" into the wrong hands, or had other "unfavorable" results.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation's Larry Keane, who speaks for gun manufacturers, said he understands the potential for abuse.

"There have been 150,000 or more Mexican soldiers defect to go work for the cartels, and I think it's safe to assume that when they defect they take their firearms with them," Keane told CBS News.

But Keane said the sales help the U.S.

"These sales by the industry actually support U.S. national security interests," Keane told Attkisson. "If they didn't, the State Department wouldn't allow them."

"Do they need better oversight?" asked Attkisson.

"It's certainly for the State Department and the Mexican government to try to make sure that the cartels don't obtain firearms that way," he replied. "But that's really beyond the control of the industry."

Mexico is now one of the world's largest purchasers of U.S. guns through direct commercial sales, beating out countries like Iraq. The State Department office that oversees the sales wouldn't agree to an interview. But an official has told Congress their top priority is to advance national security and foreign policy.

[okla2]

That is the last we will hear about these events, or this story. The true facts behind these events will NEVER be covered in detail by anyone associated with Americas mainstream media. This is too political and there is to much money involved to really shut it down. Remember the Iran-Contra resupply network of Ollie North's day and those crooks? Its the same old same old... nothing will be done and nobody will be brought to justice. Any any bets?

[okla2]

This story has been public for a few years now. CBS was more or less forced to cover because alternative press and internet was already covering the events. Just google the key words and check the dating of the past articles. (weapons, Mexico, DCS, This story was never to have seen the light of day if MSM had their way. Our MSM is a controlled by special interest, lobbyist, and insider international arms merchants

[reason1984]

"And it did approve 2,476 guns to be sold to Mexico in 2006. In 2009, that number was up nearly 10 times, to 18,709. The State Department has since stopped disclosing numbers of guns it approves, and wouldn't give CBS News figures for 2010 or 2011."

How's that transparency thing workin for ya'll.

[nothingavailable]

Since the illegal and criminal program was started under the chief criminal Bush, you need to sets your sights a lot lower. The people setting up this criminal operation and calling it legal need a really long drop on a short rope.

Why is it you can always expect and see the most despicable things from the government. Time to start hanging some murdering bureaucrats.

[rossi92353]

Rejoice Defense Contractors!!

[nothingavailable]

It is legal to hang those that aid our enemies.

[AA-Bob]

so WHO is the real Heinous gun dealer??? Obama bin dealin!

[nothingavailable]

So Bush can sell guns to the enemies of the USA and it's no treason?

[logicalsc]

You have to break a few eggs when we are talking about a Leftist utopian paradise like Cuba\N Korea\ Detriot?

Nobody is going to shed a few tears over a bunch of dead Mexicans or a murdered Border Patrol officer, they probaby would have voted Republican anyway.

Let's bury these martyrs and get on with the Leftist paradise.

[nothingavailable]

Anti-American people like you should leave America, you would be much happier abusing people in Iran or Saudi Arabia.

[MrCaps]

No mention of the amount of direct sales for 2009-2011, so much for transparency.

[Patriot_70]

This is absolutely INSANE!

We already ship, through illegal drug sales, nearly 80 BILLION dollars to Mexico cartels, and they are buying guns through corrupt police forces WITH OUR OWN MONEY!

This is as nutty as a robber stealing money from a gun store, then going back later that day to buy some guns with the money! And the Obama administration ALLOWING IT!

[nothingavailable]

Bush the **** did too.

[rshawk]

So, there are no figures for 2010 and 2011, but 18,709 for 2009 and 26% ( 4700 ) are diverted to the cartels. Cabinet meetings must be a hoot. Now lets add grenade components allowed to head south and the assistance of the paid informants tipping off the the cartels who have already worked out deals with the DEA and the FBI. Meanwhile, Holder and Napolatano are claiming that the border is tighter than ever with all evidence to the contrary. Why would the cartels even want F&F guns unless the US paid for them? How to create a Narco State next door.

[tsiya]

Wonderful scheme, the gangster administration can arm it's Mexican gangster friends and blame it on the National Rifle Association.