Mexico: U.S. Must Stop Gun Trade At Border

President Calderon Says 90% Of Weapons Seized From Drug Cartels Were Smuggled Into Mexico From U.S.

(CBS/AP)  Mexico blames the U.S. for arming the world's most powerful drug cartels, a complaint supported on Friday by a U.S. government report that found nearly all of Mexico's escalating drug killings involved weapons from north of the border.

President Felipe Calderon and his top prosecutor told The Associated Press on Thursday that Mexican police and soldiers are dangerously outgunned because U.S. authorities are failing to stop the smuggling of high-powered weapons into Mexico.

Calderon 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 fuel the problem.

"We need to stop the flow of guns and weapons towards Mexico," President Calderon told AP. "Let me express to you that we've seized in this two years more than 25,000 weapons and guns, and more than 90 percent of them came from United States, and I'm talking from missiles launchers to machine guns and grenades."

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 re-sold illegally and smuggled into Mexico to resupply the cartels.

Calderon applauded Holder's announcement saying it was the first time in many years that the American government was starting to show more commitment.

When the U.S. enforced the assault weapons ban, only 21 percent of the weapons Mexico seized from traffickers were assault rifles, Eduardo Medina Mora, Mexico's Attorney General said.

Today, it is more than half, and law enforcement officials are paying with their lives - some 800 have been killed in the past two years.

Both Medina Mora and Calderon said the U.S. should aggressively enforce its gun laws and pressure sellers to keep weapons in the hands of law-abiding citizens.

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"60 Minutes": The War Next Door
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says every American has a stake in Mexico's war against murderous gangs, and acknowledges that violent drug cartels are now operating in many U.S. cities. Anderson Cooper reports Sunday, March 1.

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The U.S. State Department said on Friday that U.S.-purchased or stolen weapons account for 95 percent of Mexico's drug related killings, and that Mexican cartels are increasingly carrying out contract killings in the U.S.

Drug-related killings claimed 6,290 lives last year in Mexico - more than double the 2007 toll. And more than 1,000 have been killed so far this year.

The violence is also spilling into the United States, with a sharp rise in kidnappings in Phoenix and cartels linked to gruesome murders all over the U.S.

Holder announced on Wednesday the Drug Enforcement Administration had rounded up 755 suspected Sinaloa cartel members and seized more than $59 million in drug money in the past 21 months.

Congress is also paying attention.

Lawmakers included $10 million in the economic stimulus package for Project Gunrunner, a federal crackdown on U.S. gun-trafficking networks.

Mexican cartels often pay U.S. citizens to purchase assault rifles or other guns at gun shops, then sell them to a cartel representative at a U.S. gun show, where registration rules are much less stringent and the gun sale can't be easily traced.

The Brookings Institution has estimated that 2,000 guns enter Mexico from the United States every day.

(Two federal police officers carry a box with weapons seized from suspected members of a crime gang after presenting them to the press in Mexico City, Feb. 10, 2009.)

The ATF says more than 7,700 guns sold in America were traced to Mexico last year, up from 3,300 the year before and about 2,100 in 2006.

Cartels turn to the U.S. because Mexico's gun laws are relatively restrictive.

Mexicans must get approval for a gun purchase from the Mexican defense department and are limited to guns with a calibre no higher than the standard .38-calibre.

Larger calibres are considered military weapons and are off-limits to civilians.

Cartels are so easily armed that their hitmen have used assault rifles as if they are disposable, tossing the weapons aside while fleeing assassinations.

Mr. Obama said during his campaign that he respects Americans' Second Amendment right to bear arms, but favors "common sense" gun laws.

Advocates on both sides of the U.S. gun control debate took that to mean new curbs on ownership of assault weapons and background checks at the gun shows that supply much of the cartels' arsenal.

The U.S. actions follow a series of government reports warning that Mexico could melt into lawlessness if something isn't done.

Calderon angrily denied that his country is in danger of becoming a failed state, telling the AP that his government has complete control of Mexican territory.

But Mexico's leaders say they have no choice but to confront the cartels.

Mexico's Economy Secretary Gerardo Ruiz Mateos said this month that if they don't defeat the traffickers, the country's next president could be a drug dealer.


Canada Warns About Mexico Travel

Canada issued an travel advisory Friday warning a surge in drug-related murders in certain areas of Mexico has heightened the risk of visiting the country.

The Foreign Affairs Department has recommended Canadians to particular care when traveling of northern Mexico, especially around the border with the United States.

Cities such as Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez are the epicenters of a bloody drug war between Mexico's main cartels.

The Mexican government tripled its military presence in Ciudad Juarez this week.

The deparment warns that firefights between soldiers and drug cartels can occur at any time, and travelers can get caught in the crossfire.

The U.S. State Department recently issued a travel alert for Mexico, and has instructed its diplomats in Mexico not to travel to certain areas unless absolutely necessary.

[globalcoolin]

123 -0
Oh poor Mexico.... and here we see the young wearing skulls and grosquery as fashion and, oh poor us..our culture is being disturbed by...drug merchants...in Mexico.
Our Congress has little credibility in it's war on drugs and if Mexicandrug cartels see a chance to make big bicks off foolish US consumers of narcotics it's our own liberal policies creating conditions for that!
Illegal arms flow to Mexico from all over the world and have for many many years and do note:-- Mexican gun control laws are VERY STRICKT! But effect only Mexicos many LAW ABIDING people .That is the universal problem with gun control laws! They only work up to the point they do not, and criminals decide!
Perhaps that's why the problem. A nation trying to keep order threw gun control. To find it don't and honest citiezens may not legaly protect themselves or families with firearms. Don't it make you wonder who's side the Mexican Government has been on all these years?

[rick98201]

Congrats to CBS for another example of crack pot journalism. How about you stop with the leftist lies and just start reporting the news that is true. I love how all you media freaks bow and court all these liberal ideas. I only hope all you fools will remember that the direction this country is heading is something you wanted when you are being told what to report and how to report. What amazes me is that all you people that are for the regulating people like Rush, Newt, and Coultre, don't realize that if the gov't is allowed to limit and regulate them the same will be true of you. How about you all just stop and think about what you are doing. Remember "be careful what you ask for you just might get it"? That sword you all like to swing does have two edges or didn't you notice

[123_-0]

Strange. The same day this article came out I was visiting with a young mexican male graduate student, the first in the history of our one hundred years of teaching art here on the great plains.
His new work depicts a gang of bones like those skeletal remains in scenes from the day of the dead, but they are life size gansters with guns dropping from their withered black skeletal remains. Under these figures ride a stream of consciousness of gang language, horror, in all their lovely graffiti with many veils, like mexican party sreamers, made of the remains of a beautiful culture of peoples who comprise a failed and failing nation. My student carries this mantel on his huge shoulders and is struggeling with this heritage which he and his generation now face. Shame on this nation that it ship guns and god knows what to every hot spot in the world - in every neighborhood in our nation - this mercantile capitalist idea that you can just continue to sell weapons to hurt and angery people is insane and we are now seeing and will see the culmination of this insanity unless Holder and his sheriffs can can be different than the past forty years of gangsters running the Justice Department and nearly everything else - the gun merchants haven't stopped and noone has stopped them.

[juliandh]

Oops, upon long review it seems the spelling machine, and brain failed to work. Hm-mm, seems like a lot of liberals think this way too. It's always easier to blame something inanimate versus the people involved. It again shows up with Mexican corruption, and of course "gun control." Far easier to blame the machine, not the people. Oh, and let's not forget the most vulgar and obscene word of all "responsibility".

[juliandh]

Oops, hey, wait a minute, now hold on here. How is the US responsible for an extremely corrupt Mexican government? How is the US responsible said governments inability to control their criminals? How is the US responsible for said criminals getting so-called illegal firearms? The last time I read our firearms laws many of the firearms stated are heavily controled. Ownership of same leads to massive fines and jail time, something the ATF loves to pursue. Furthermore, any military related firearms impossible to get at all. I wonder how the drug lords get their armament. Is it from the same corrupt Mexican government we give several million dollars to a year?

Maybe the Mexican government should clean up its own house, take responsibility, and not use the cowards way out of blaming some one else for their inadequacies. Even better maybe it is now time to boycott Mexican product, stop travelling their, cease hiring any illegal aliens, and cease giving said illegal aliens any help whatsoever. I do not mind emergency aid, but I do object to education, medical help, jobs, and anything else that will help the illegal alien communities. Experience has shown that a majority want to take not give to American society. They want this country to be like they. That is not a acceptable option. I know of no other country that would allow this to happen. (BTW, for the "your a racist" crowd, may family are legal immigrants, and we maintain family ties overseas.) We did things legally, not illegally, and do not support any illegal behavior!

Bottom line, Mexico, clean-up your house before pointing fingers at others houses! Stop your drug traffickers! Stop giving your people the means to violate US immigration laws! Stop blaming others for your corruption, and the problems that have been created!. You have NO RIGHT to tell me or mine how to live, act, or be, let alone what firearms we can or cannot own. Remember, you are allowing the export of thousands of people, drugs, and violence as a means to avoid or solve your own innate corruption.

[doomedplanet]

CBS you really must think we are complete uneducated idiots. This story is so full of lies I'm still trying to decide if its a fiction piece.

1. lets get this straight once and for all by definition an "assault rifle" is a military weapon capable of full automatic fire. Joe Citizen (unless he is rich and willing to jump through the Gov. redtape) will not own an "assault rifle". The AR-15s, AK-47s, etc. that anyone can purchase with the appropriate GOVERNMENT REQUIRED background checks and registration are SEMIAUTOMATIC. This means one pull of the trigger discharges one round, requiring another pull of the trigger to dischage another. They don't spray bullets or discharge uncontrollably like you would like everyone to think.

2. Joe Citizen will not purchase rocket launchers, grenades, machine guns or anything else that falls under the National Firearms Act at a gunshow. These items are HIGHLY REGULATED BY THE GOVERNMENT. The ATF drools at the chance to bust someone for these offenses.

3. The rules for selling firearms at a gunshow are no less stringent than a purchase at a gun store. It requires a GOVERNMENT background check and a FEDERAL REGISTRATION FORM 4473.

4. "The ATF says more than 7,700 guns sold in America were traced to Mexico last year."
I'll believe these numbers when I see the proof. How does the ATF know this info? Do they have the serial numbers for each weapon? If so, then the weapon could be traced back to the buyer which goes back to the FEDERAL REGISTRATION FORM 4473. There is no mention in your "highly investigative piece" of purchasers of these weapons being arrested for straw sales.

WAKE UP PEOPLE. The Government will make up any lies they wish to take your rights away.

CBS, you disgust me as usual, but I expect nothing less.

[GODSnLIBERALS]

Yea man, lets concentrate on the suppliers and forget the Super Powerful Demand side of the simple Math equation.
Posted by lovegetpeace at 11:20 AM : Mar 2, 2009
+ report abuse + permalink

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good luck!

[frankinaz]

"Oh boo freakin hoo. Mexico's president thinks we are doing nothing to stop the gun flow from the U.S. to Mexico. What have they done to stop the flow of ILLEGAL ALIENS to the U.S. well lets see...hmmnn I know, they passed out maps to their people on how to sneak across the border. Where to go and when to do it. Then they allow all their nasty drugs to be smuggled over here as well. Are you kidding us? Guns for drugs thats the way it is. Clean up your own back yard Mexico. No pity from us true Americans."
Agreed-Mexico and other countries need to clean up their act and take care of their own problems and people. Although this country sends tens of millions of dollars to Mexico
each year, the problems only become worse over time. The illegal immigrants and drugs continue to flow northward, the money and guns go southward, and the Mexican Government pockets the money the U. S. sends there-Nothing changes. nor improves.
Not only should the U. S. stop the pity for this country, but more importantly, it should also stop American tax dollars from going down to our greedy and corrupt neighbor to the south. The U. S. should no longer support illegal immigrants from Mexico and other countries sends that send illegal immigrants into the U. S. each year, often in uncontrolled and unregulated numbers.
In other words, cut these countries off from U. S. aid until they clean up their act(s).

[lovegetpeace]

I did not know that ordinary Americans purchase over $48 Billions a year in Narcotic Drugs.

No wonder, Americans need a Tax Cut and a Stimulus Package.

Yea man, lets concentrate on the suppliers and forget the Super Powerful Demand side of the simple Math equation.

[gunnerv1]

Selling guns "at US Gun shows where registration rules are much less stringent" This is BULL $HIT! Gun show dealers and storefront gun dealers are required to follow the same rules no matter where the point of sale is at! This is just the first step to scare everyone into a ban. True to form for the Liberals, if you can't do it legally, then lie about it.
There's an easy way, trace the serial numbers from manufacture to the last person who had the weapon. Ordnary gun owners/buyers don't have access to "rocket launchers, grenades or machineguns" (last time I looked the cheapest MG would cost a civilian well over $4000.00 and you had better not let it turn up missing.Lets see what other kind of lie you can come up with!

[luke_4u]

We can't even stop something as big as an illegal Mexican, from getting across. How are we going to stop something as small as a gun ? The problems won't stop until we seal off the border.

[CBS_Lies]

This article is so full of lies I can't believe a news organization would print it.
1. I'm talking from missiles launchers to machine guns and grenades.

Really, they are buying these from the United States, probably at a gunshow where there will be no backgound check done huh.

2. Mexican cartels often pay U.S. citizens to purchase assault rifles or other guns at gun shops, then sell them to a cartel representative at a U.S. gun show, where registration rules are much less stringent and the gun sale can't be easily traced.

Really, they pay someone to straw purchase a weapon and thenhave them sell the weapons to the cartel at a gunshow where there will be no backgournd check. Wouldn;t it be easier to turn the weapon over in the desert, where there is no law enforcement than at a gunshow where they might get caught. And what if someone else wants to buy these guns before the cartel member shows up at the gunshow to purchase. Sounds like someone is trying to make the gunshow even more dangerous sounding to the sheeple.

I am sure there are more inaccuracies in the diatribe, but I couldn't finish reading it. Let me just say this is one of worst hit pieces about guns I have seen written in a long time

[theisleskye]

Well maybe it?s time for the Mexican border to start looking in the cars and trucks that enter Mexico. I have crossed many times and they never even look in the trunk. They just look at your passport and see if your visa is valid. If they did the same job our border guards do every day the Guns would not get to Mexico. It?s not the guns it the Mexican government that needs to change but as long as they get there cut of the money from the underworld it will never change.

[jxknowles]

I own several guns and defend every American's right to own and bear arms. That said, uncontrolled and unregulated puchase and sale of automatic weapons is just asking for the trouble we're seeing. The Governor of Texas is asking for American troops to protect the border with Mexico from the escalating violence. Without some action now, this problem will only get worse.

[credibility2]

How convenient that Mexico blames us for this problem. The Mexican government has done nothing to discourage the illegal infiltration of its citizens into our country, bringing into it a more severe drug problem, criminal problem, illiteracy, etc. All the problems on the border and over the border involving Mexicans are being caused by an indifferent and lax Mexican government. Perhaps we should just issue shoot to kill orders to anyone crossing over into our borders illegally and then ask questions of them later. Maybe if we started exercising our legislative muscle, this problem might diminish. But then the cowardly Mexican government would probably cry foul for the U.S. protecting its sovereign borders.

[apitaly]

All of you need to remember that these folks are kidnapping and killing Americans....... turn Mexico into a parking lot.... nuke them all

[frankinaz]

"Mexican President Calderon has complained for two years that the U.S. isn't carrying its weight in the cross-border drug war."
That's right President Calderon; blame the U. S., and don't take responisbility for the lack of action within yourself and your government.
"Calderon angrily denied that his country is in danger of becoming a failed state, telling the AP that his government has complete control of Mexican territory. "
President Calderon, if this statement is correct, then why is Mexico being run in many areas by the drug cartels?
Not only are you a liar President Calderon, but you're also just as crooked and corrupt as virtually all the other present and past Mexican government officials, from your level on down.
Now go ask Washington, DC, for more money. President Calderon. Tell the U. S. that it's going to be used to fight your drug war...Yeah, right.

[curse914]

And yet YOU and ZANDI (some paid economist hack) don't understand that GOVERNMENT spending does not help the economy. GOVERNMENT spending only sucks up money from the pockets of citizens....

And neither one of you understand that this economic insanity bill was a bunch of UNNECESARY SPENDING trumped up by these commies to re-distribute the wealth from the people to the government!

And neither one of you seems to get it, that the US just went to China begging for TRILLIONS of dollars to fund a TOTALLY UNNECESSARY spending spree by these communists. And while they were at it, putting it through so fast they didn't even realize they gave China eminent domain in the US. Then when they realized it, tried to put thru a bill quickly to cover their arse on February 24...which was roundly defeated because NONE of them understood what it was for!
Posted by ChgUBINOT at 11:15 AM : Mar 1, 2009

It is unfortunate the new comment system get rid of you.

You have been banned about 10 times by my count and here I am with my original user name.

CBS should be given some sound advice on how to ban IPs.

[curse914]

Yes, like the suspension of Habeas Corpus.
Posted by curse914 at 10:55 AM : Mar 1, 2009

Funny isn't it...I never lost my right to habaes corpus, and neither did you!

And the only couple of them who lost it, were in fact enemy combatants who lose all rights when they become an enemy of the government. Especially the foreign ones who never had the right to habaes corpus in the first place since they're not citizens.
Posted by ChgUBINOT at 11:07 AM : Mar 1, 2009

We were agreeing on the concept of the "slippery slope", there, Brown Shirt.

[curse914]

Oh lest we forget that the dumpocraps voted ALL of the proposals to build the fence, and in fact failed to fund it...

Yes, we KNOW who opened our borders to illegal immigrants, and we KNOW who wants to make them citizens because they will immediately become part of the poverty level in the US and dependent on a communist government to support them. Who will in fact vote for the communists who will give them more handouts while they sit in their little nests going FEED ME! FEED ME! Like the idiots that just voted Comrade Obama into the White House.
Posted by ChgUBINOT at 11:02 AM : Mar 1, 2009

Numbers, Rowdy, charts, articles anything except your opinion.

This is a challenge, I know, but give it a shot. And maybe try a post that does not contain dumbocrap, commie, ellipsis or all caps.