U.S.-Bought Guns Killing Mexican Police

Assault Rifles, Armor-Piercing Pistols, Grenades Are Pouring Across Border

(AP)  Authorities are sounding the alarm about an influx of assault rifles, armor-piercing pistols and fragmentation grenades from the United States, weapons that they say are increasingly being used to kill police and soldiers fighting drug cartels.

U.S. and Mexican law enforcement officials report a sharp increase in both the flow and firepower of U.S. weapons across the border. Particularly worrisome are assault rifles and "cop-killer" pistols.

Mexico has strict firearms laws, few gun stores and a mere 4,300 private licensed gun holders among its 105 million people. The United States, with nearly as many guns as people, has more than 100,000 licensed gun sellers, an industry that makes about 2.8 million small arms a year — and gun laws so loose that arms traffickers easily pick up any weapons they need.

Despite Mexico's gun control laws, criminals have long smuggled guns in from the United States.

"The problem is getting bigger because the illegal possession of arms, and their clandestine introduction to our country, combines with narcotics trafficking," said a government report to Mexico's Senate in June.

It said 99.4 percent of the weapons in the hands of Mexican criminals are suspected of coming from the United States.

At least 11,752 U.S.-sold guns have been found in Mexico since January 2003 — a tiny fraction of what remains on the streets, according to the report.

It did not give figures for previous years. But one indicator of a new gun glut is the fact that hit men drop their guns at crime scenes rather than be caught with them afterward, knowing they are easily replaced, a senior U.S. law enforcement official in Mexico said on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

Particularly worrisome are U.S. sales of Belgian-made FN-57 pistols. These fire bullets that "will defeat most body armor in military service around the world today," according to Remtek weapon's site on the Internet. They sell for $800-$1,000 each at dozens of gun stores within a day's drive of the border.

The weapons were unheard of in Mexico until they were used to kill at least a half-dozen police officers this year. Among them were Mexico City policemen Felix Perez and Jose Rodriguez, slain in May when a car full of suspected mobsters fired FN-57s, whose bullets sliced right through the officers' body armor.

In all, about 100 Mexican officers have been slain since President Felipe Calderon launched an ambitious nationwide crackdown on the drug trade this year.

"U.S. laws allow citizens to have guns that are authentically warlike," Attorney General Eduardo Medina Mora complained at a recent news conference. "We have to find a more effective way of stopping these arms from flowing into the country and giving these gangs such significant firepower."

The U.S. Congress has so far resisted these calls. It's particularly easy to buy weapons at the thousands of U.S. gun shows held each year, where the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives stopped checking addresses of gun buyers after the National Rifle Association complained that sales plummeted.

Mexico also wants lawmakers in Washington to loosen restrictions on who can see gun-purchasing data, but that's unlikely given the strong opposition from the NRA.

The U.S. government is now restricted in many cases from sharing such information with local police departments, let alone the Mexican government, making it difficult to trace illegal guns or arrest weapons traffickers.

Mexican officials also complain that U.S. judges give firearms traffickers lighter sentences than drug dealers.

Mexican arms traffickers pay U.S. residents a profit of $20 to $200 per weapon to make purchases, the U.S. official said. The guns are then hidden in car compartments, truckloads of consumer goods and even small planes, crossing into Mexico in the same vehicles that carry cocaine, marijuana and heroin north, the official said.

The ATF says it is fighting the problem by sending more agents to the border and giving Mexico a pack of gun-sniffing Labrador retrievers this year.

U.S. officials also put blame on Mexico, saying officials rarely search southbound traffic along the border. But Mexican customs agents who do are often given a grim choice: "plata o plomo" — the silver of a bribe, or the lead of a bullet.

In February, Mexican customs agent Jorge Santillan seized a truck crossing from Brownsville, Texas, to Matamoros, Mexico, carrying a grenade launcher and 17 grenades along with 18 rifles and 17 pistols. The shipment allegedly belonged to the Zetas, a feared group of former soldiers-turned-hitmen.

Days later, the agent was shot to death with a Kalashnikov assault rifle.

Once inside Mexico, weapons are sold in black-market shops for double the U.S. price.

Mexico City gun enthusiast Daniel Aguilera described illegally buying a submachine gun from vendors in the capital's Tepito barrio, who let him test the merchandise on a stack of cans in a tenement building.

"Buying a gun in Mexico is a piece of cake," Aguilera said. "You can get your hands on one in a couple of hours, if you know the right people."

[gunownerdan]

That''s funny, I have lots of U.S. bought guns and they have never even come close to killing any police or anyone else.
When drugs are illegal and banned, drug dealers and drug gangs make billions of dollars from selling them on the black market. You can buy a lot of guns and other weapons with billions of dollars. Just ask Al Capone, he had lots of machine guns in the 1920''s and 1930''s when alcohol was illegal and billions in profits went right to gangsters and bootleggers.
STOP THE MADNESS!
Cops say legalize marijuana and other drugs.
Prohibition will never work!
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Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

[gunshack1]

I recon what Mexico needs is a few more "gun control" laws. The ones they have don''t seem to be working to well. 4300 licensed gun holders? What a joke. LOL

[slim1h2o]

no different there than here, keep your people where they belong,...south of the border

[gunnerv1]

I don''t want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but from all that I have read, this is just one of the first steps in the disarming of legally possessed firearms from American citizens

[rudy654-2009]

Isn''t it wonderful? US gun makers are selling weapons that include armor-piercing pistols and fragmentation grenades, and some idiot here thinks that more people should own them?

[infidel_us]

just one of the first steps in the disarming of legally possessed firearms from American citizens
Posted by gunnerv1 at 12:50 PM : Aug 16, 2007

It will NEVER happen. They can make all guns illegal and it wouldn''t matter. The local/state/fed don''t have the enforcement manpower to carry out disarming a hundred million people.

I''d like to see them try! I could use a good laugh!

[slim1h2o]

If they can''t kick out 12 to 15 million illegals, how are they going to confiscate 300 million guns?

[gunownerdan]

I''m sure that if guns were ever somehow banned in America and the government decided to confiscate them, a private mercenary army like Blackwater would likely be used since mercenary soldiers don''t swear an oath to protect and defend the Constitution.

[diverinnl]

Mexican arms traffickers pay U.S. residents a profit of $20 to $200 per weapon to make purchases, the U.S. official said. The guns are then hidden in car compartments, truckloads of consumer goods and even small planes, crossing into Mexico in the same vehicles that carry cocaine, marijuana and heroin north, the official said.

The ATF says it is fighting the problem by sending more agents to the border and giving Mexico a pack of gun-sniffing Labrador retrievers this year.


SHOULD READ:

Mexican human traffickers pay U.S. residents a profit of $20 to $200 per person to transport illegals, the U.S. official said. The people are then hidden in car compartments, truckloads of consumer goods and even small planes, crossing into the US in the same vehicles that carry cocaine, marijuana and heroin north, the official said.

The Border Patrol says it is fighting the problem by sending more agents to the border and building part of a fence this year.

[cepe10-2009]

The NRA needs the armor piercing rounds for "deer hunting" and "target shooting"....

because uhhmmm animals and targets have become much more resilient to fireamrs...:)lol

What a complete bunch of losers these gun shows and the NRA draw...

[davegf]

I guess this is further evidence of the u.s. being a terror state. We accuse Iran and Syria of terrorist activity for SUPPOSEDLY arming the brave Iraqi resistance with weapons, so I see no difference when our weapons are crossing a border and killing the Mexican police. Of course, we are different....because we say so.

[cepe10-2009]

"U.S. judges give firearms traffickers lighter sentences than drug dealers"

That''s true U.S. judges are idiots that''s for sure and it is pathetic.

[gunownerdan]

cepe10, I bet you don''t even know what an "armor piercing round" really is.

[gunshack1]

I have gone back and read this article several times. It is the stupidest thing I''ve seen in a long while. The AP says it can''t be published, broadcast, rewritten, etc. Well how about using it for tolet paper. Would that be ok Mr. AP?

[l8c6]

When drugs are illegal and banned, drug dealers and drug gangs make billions of dollars from selling them on the black market
Posted by GunOwnerDan

You don''t think that the illusive puppet string pullers who control the monetary system of this country couldn''t get a handle on this if they chose? We are at war in Iraq yet the forces that be can''t stop this incredibly lucrative organized criminal activity?

It makes one wonder what you imagine the typical drug dealer and gangster looks like..those that get caught and are sometimes posted on t.v.? Probably not those that live in exclusive neighborhoods around the world and make monetary policy for the world affecting governments, corporations and peoples of all walks of life huh?

[SIDNEYWILLIAMSMD]

IT''S THE FENCE STUPID: The same style and design as the one south of San Diego. Two fences, two roads, electronic monitoring including overlapping surveillance cameras. With appropriate border guards will be able to stop illegal immigration, infiltration by arab terrorist, flow of weapons south, and flow of drugs north. Gates to be placed for flow of legal workers with documentation. Remember the Israeli fence works. Good fences make good neighbors.

[lastdance2]

Judges only do - What they are told to do

[gunownerdan]

"Today we need a nation of minute men; citizens who are not only prepared to take up arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as a basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom. The cause of liberty, the cause of American, cannot succeed with any lesser effort."
-- President John F. Kennedy, January 29, 1961

[gunownerdan]

"Today we need a nation of minute men; citizens who are not only prepared to take up arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as a basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom. The cause of liberty, the cause of American, cannot succeed with any lesser effort."
-- President John F. Kennedy, January 29, 1961

[erasmus6]

I recon what Mexico needs is a few more "gun control" laws. The ones they have don''t seem to be working to well." posted by gunshack1

What both Mexico AND Canada need is a responsible neighbor. Ones where not every moron in the country can own a gun. We don''t have a great amount of gun crime here and when there is, the gun is usually traced back to the U.S. So if the U.S. didn''t allow everyone to have guns, it would probably almost eliminate what little we have. If we didn''t have gun control laws, we would be just like you, OUT OF CONTROL.

In more ways than one, the U.S. is going to be the downfall of the world. In fact I think that the U.S. is going to be the cause of WW111!

[infidel_us]

a private mercenary army like Blackwater would likely be used since mercenary soldiers don''''t swear an oath to protect and defend the Constitution.
Posted by GunOwnerDan at 01:09 PM : Aug 16, 2007

You joke, right? Did you mean ''Whitewater?" LOL
They could send Jesus Christ himself to my house....I''ll NEVER give up my Bersa 380. Anyone selling a pre-ban AR-15?

[erasmus6]

GUNOWNERDAN

Blah, blah, blah. Tell me something GUNOWNERDAN, can you discuss anything other than your obsession with guns?

You are in your GLORY when talking about them thar guns, aren''t ya?

[gunownerdan]

"Those who beat swords into plowshares usually end up plowing for those who don''t."

[sevenveils]

The Department of Energy employs the largest mercenary army in the US

[cepe10-2009]

GunOwnerDan - i think your buddy bush needs to execute one of his "sneak and peak" warrants on you just to see how many illegal things you have hidden in your compound:) i''m sure his gestapo anti-civil rights adminstration is monitoring your ip address as we speak.

I highly recommend the FGM-148 Javelin for your next deer hunt...with this portable missle system even if you miss your intended target (or where so drunk you didn''t know what you were targeting) you are sure to get something. the perfect christmas gift for every mentally defective NRA member...

And please stop using the depleted uranium rounds - we like deer with two antlers not two heads...

[slim1h2o]

Infidel; Gunownerdan had it right, don''t know if you joking or not, But I looked up BlackwaterUSA''s site on the net here''s an excerpt;

So it came as a surprise to many locals when the expert marksmen of Blackwater USA -- a controversial military contractor that provides armed security guards in the Iraq war -- took over an 80-acre rifle range and opened up a new training center this past spring. Blackwater North, as the North Carolina-based firm calls its new site, is designed primarily as a tactical training ground for domestic law enforcement and contractors, not for security missions to Iraq or Afghanistan, Blackwater officials said. Using civilians schooled in military warfare, the site offers training in weaponry, hostage dealings and terror reaction.

[tyjohn47]

I love it! Our loose enforcement of gun control laws are now Mexico''s problem and the Gunheads wash their hands of it.

Does anybody wonder where the ''Ugly American'' moniker comes from.

"I''ve got....more guns than I neeeed......but.....less guns....than I woan''t!"

-Former Senator Phil Gramm (R) Texas

That''s right gun heads, let ship all the immigrants back to Meh-hico and let''s make sure they are all heavily armed when they go back too!! And then, let''s wash our hands of it all.

"Hey, I just gave ''em automatic rifles and shipped ''em boys back over da wall. I din''t actually pull the trigger!" I can just hear it now.

That art-ta impress dem Your-a-peein''s, shount it?!

[gunownerdan]

My guns are not to blame for your failed drug control policies.
It''s as simple as that.

[slim1h2o]

I''''ve got....more guns than I neeeed......but.....less guns....than I woan''''t!" be killed wth!

[klingon69]

Isn''''t it wonderful? US gun makers are selling weapons that include armor-piercing pistols and fragmentation grenades, and some idiot here thinks that more people should own them?
Posted by rudy654 at 12:56 PM : Aug 16, 2007
Rudy;
I knew if it had to do with Mexico, you''d be here. First off, How the h@ll does a pistol class as armor piercing? Do you throw it?
Most all firearms can fire armor-peircing rounds. I had them for a 357, for a 45, and a 44. As well as steel core armor-piercing rounds for my AK-47.

[tyjohn47]

We demand that Mexico do something about the movement of drugs through that country into ours but won''t even consider helping them out enough to stop the drug lords down there from buying firearms up here and potentially using them back down there to kill cops. We won''t even consider helping them by ENFORCING GUN LAWS ALREADY ON THE BOOKS IN THE US!!

So, killing cops in the US is a capital offense (which it should be) but appearently, it''s OK for Mexican cops to be killed. I see how this works.

I see how/why Mexican cops are so easily corrupted too....they indeed ARE completely on their own and should expect no help from anybody.

****** Gunheads.

And whoever it was that said Canada has ***-envy of the US probably knows all about it....Gunheads are usually afflicted with that very condition.

[czhnder]

Read the last sentence in light of the US having such "loose" gun laws. This is editorializing not even capable of hiding under a guise of reporting.

[agnim]

"U.S.-Bought Guns Killing Mexican Police"

We would complain and make a big stink to other countries about the LESS HARMFUL, DRUGS

While we hypocritically push the MORE DEADLY, GUNS & WEAPONS on other people! Tsk-tsk

[czhnder]

Read the last sentence again in light of your comments about the "loose" gun laws in the US. This is editorializing that cannot even come under the guise of reporting. Shame on you!

[ckcool192001]

Shouldn''t this server as a message to mexico that Mexico as a country should tighten it''s border sercurity...which hey would help prevent guns and illegal immigrations.

For those that want to outlaw guns period, it would turn into the same type of situation the US had during prohibition. The problem is that the gun CONTROL laws are to weak and need to be improved.

[tyjohn47]

Maybe Mexico will start building their own wall...to keep our guns out!

[gunownerdan]

Cops Say LEGALIZE AND REGULATE DRUGS!
Prohibition does nothing but cause more crime and violence.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
www.leap.cc

[erasmus6]

darkmeat4

You are wrong. We do have less crime. And Canada is not a non player militarily and politically.

The U.S. is a bully, constantly sticking their nose where it doesn''t belong. And I can assure you that Canadians do not feel inadequate or have any envy at all. We look at the U.S. as sad and pathetic. What was once considered a great nation, is no more. Your country is a mess in every way. You have massive corruption. If anything we feel pity at what you have become.

[ckcool192001]

To the Canadian below...

At least the US has the guts to stand up and fight.

Your right Canada is a non player, they may as well be on an island for the contribution they make to the world.

[tyjohn47]

erasmus6, don''t get into that exchange with the passive-aggressive neocon bloggers. There is no way to convince them so don''t try.

It is because we elected folks of that same ilk to run this country that we find our standing in the world to be very unfavorable and why we look more and more like the rest of Latin America with each passing day.

But the US is perhaps the only country in the world with the ability to change that situation from within and starting from the grass-roots.

My father-in-law; a man so conservative he makes the Gunheads look like Great Society liberals, told me that he wished more than anything that the US Republican party would tell the NRA to f-off.

Go figure.

[infidel_us]

Maybe if the Mexican po-po had guns instead of sling shots, they''d be able to shoot back! :)

[infidel_us]

Go figure.
Posted by tyjohn47 at 03:20 PM : Aug 16, 2007

Ok, I have it figured....either you are a poor judge of character, or he''s wrong. Simple. So, blow you nose, dry your eyes, and quit wetting your bed! Libs are PATHETIC!

[infidel_us]

If anything we feel pity at what you have become.
Posted by erasmus6 at 03:01 PM : Aug 16, 2007

At least we''ve become SOMETHING! The US has done more in 200 years than Canada will EVER do. Hope you don''t have to wait a year to have that tumor removed.

Good luck with socialism - losers!

[gunnerv1]

I want to know where I can purchase a "LEGAL" Fragmentation Grenade. This "Story" and that is just what it is and I also use the term "Story" loosely because it is so full of BS it''s pitiful.

[tyjohn47]

See erasmus6....case closed. The passive-aggressive neocons will simply buzz around you like gnats (see the posts previous to this one)and then strut away (back to the fridge most likely) with chests pumped out thinking to themselves "I really got him with THAT one! Huh-huh!"

[getcentered]

"darkmeat4"

"They account for over 60% of our crime and make up a mere 13% of our population."

Americans are the only ones that I''d expect this depth of ignorance!

It''s not about the people SKIN COLOR it''s about the socioeconomic of the people.....

F-ing racist dummies......


You and infidel should go fight in Iraq. When you signing up?

[rudy654-2009]

"With every anti-gunner on here tossing in a few jabs at Pres. Bush and his "illegal" administration I would think you sandal wearing, Star Bucks drinking, hemp oil smelling hippies would support our right to keep and bear arms."

Oh, oh, oh!!! You''re a Michael Savage (aka the Weiner) fan aren''t you? I don''t care what you think of sandals, hemp oil(?), and smelly hippies (how long is your hair?) But by Gawd, you leave Starbucks ALONE!!!! What is this world coming to?

[mitywhity]

Well pass me the Kleenex and give me a minute while I get my composure back.............Okay, I''m good. It may be US weapons but they are in filthy Mexican-born hands! What a piece of journalistic tripe! Yeah? So what? Of course they would get guns from us, any decent and self-respecting druglord would. Mexico is a joke of a country. It''s always been a dangerous place and It''s not our fault.

[getcentered]

"I''''m proud to see you utilizing the rights that I have secured for you."

Sorry to trump your moral, but as far as securing MY rights, you''ve done no such thing. When do you go back or did you get injured in the "quagmire" that Bush and Chenney started for the OIl industry?

I''m sorry you only see color and not the plight of the poor of OUR country.

Thanks.

"I didnt do the studies, talk to the FBI and U.S. Census Bureau"

You didn''t study at all. Site your studies.

[gunownerdan]

PROHIBITION KILLS COPS
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