• Most Popular
  • Most Shared

CORRECTION: Mexico slams "absurd" U.S gun laws as drug war rages

Thu Jun 14, 2007 5:27pm EDT
A haul of about 206 million U.S. dollars is seen with confiscated weapons after the money was found stashed in closets, suitcases, and drawers in a house in an upscale neighbourhood of Mexico City March 15, 2007. Mexico's government, which complains violent drug cartels are battling each other with firearms bought in the United States, slammed slack U.S. gun laws as absurd on Thursday. REUTERS/Procuraduria General de La Republica/Handout

(corrects typo in “each” in first paragraph)

World

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's government, which complains violent drug cartels are battling each other with firearms bought in the United States, slammed slack U.S. gun laws as absurd on Thursday.

Mexico complains most of the often high-powered weapons used by warring Mexican traffickers come from gun shops in the United States and Mexican Attorney General Eduardo Medina Mora said there was not enough control over their sale.

"I think the American (gun) laws are absurd because they ... make it very easy for citizens to acquire guns," he told a meeting of academics and businessmen.

Mexico is locked in a bloody battle with rival cartels fighting over territory and President Felipe Calderon has deployed thousands of troops across the country against traffickers who are often better armed than police.

More than 1,000 people have been killed in drug violence in Mexico this year as a three-way war between cartels and the Mexican military spirals to unprecedented levels.

Although firearms can be bought on the black market in Mexico, it is difficult to purchase them legally.

Mexico said last month it was setting up an intelligence network with U.S. law enforcement agencies to stop members of Mexican drug mafias from buying guns in the United States and bringing them south of the border.



More from Reuters

Joint Terminal Attack Controller SSgt Clinton J. Herbison, a U.S. Airman from the 817 Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron (EASOS) takes a break during a night mission near Honaker Miracle camp at the Pesh valley of Kunar Province August 12, 2009. Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Pictures of the Year

A look at the best photos of 2009.  Slideshow 

    The Dalai Lama jokes with a nasal spray after being asked his opinion on the swine flu during a press conference after his first lecture in Lausanne, Switzerland, August 4, 2009. REUTERS/ Valentin Flauraud

    What a wacky year it's been...

    Um, what's up the Dalai Lama's nose? "Oddly Enough" editor Bob Basler rounds up the goofiest photos of the year.  Full Article 

    A caution sign is seen next to a stock board at the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in Sydney September 5, 2008. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz
    Political Risk in 2010:

    Don't say we didn't warn you

    With the financial crisis (mostly) in the past, U.S. investors are eying a fresh start to the coming year. Here's a look at what speedbumps lie ahead.  Full Article