Three out of four firearms used in Mexico crimes trace back to the four Southwest border states, judging by guns submitted for tracing by Mexican authorities, says a report by a coalition of U.S. Mayors.
The findings were released in a new report by the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition, co-chaired by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. Click here for the report: The Movement of Ilegal Guns Across the U.S. Border.
Noting the intense violence that has gripped Mexico in the past decade, the report lays the blame squarely on the United States for supplying weapons to cartel thugs. And it suggests that Arizona, Texas and New Mexico should adopt stricter laws that may help with the problem.
Noting that the "export rates" between those three states are higher, proportionately, than those in California, the mayors' report claims the difference is due to several California laws, including:
... requiring background checks for all handgun sales at gun shows, requiring purchase permits in advance of handgun sales, allowing local jurisdictions to regulate firearms, and allowing inspection of gun dealers.
In Arizona, of course, the trend has gone the other way. Instead of limiting sales at gun shows, state lawmakers have seen fit to allow just about anyone to carry a concealed handgun -- even into a bar.
While the wisdom of state laws can be debated, even the mayors in the coalition claim they aren't against the 2nd Amendment itself.
And that's what Mexico needs -- a 2nd Amendment.
Mexicans should be able to buy and sell their own frickin' guns.
