Senate Republicans Celebrate Legal Victory Upholding American Sovereignty, Second Amendment Rights from U.S. Supreme Court

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                       
Thursday, June 5, 2025 

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senate Republicans are celebrating a legal victory for second amendment rights and our nation's sovereignty after the Supreme Court of the United States issued a landmark decision today protecting the American firearms industry from being dismantled by the Mexican government.

The Arizona Legislature joined 26 states in an amicus brief last year urging the Supreme Court to end Mexico's frivolous lawsuit against U.S. firearm manufacturers for crimes committed by Mexican cartels in Mexico. In Smith & Wesson Brands v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos, Mexico alleged American gun manufacturers are liable for the harm caused from gun trafficking by cartels in their country and their corrupt government allowing violence to consume their nation.

The Supreme Court agreed with the position taken by the coalition of states and ruled the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act enacted by Congress in 2005 specifically protects against meritless litigation threatening to crush the firearms industry. The high court also noted the lawsuit infringes on U.S. sovereignty by trying to impose restrictions on second amendment rights and to control how the U.S. firearms industry is regulated.

"Blaming the firearms industry for criminals murdering people is like blaming the auto industry for drunk drivers causing fatal crashes. Companies participating in lawful business practices are not participants in misconduct just because their products are used in a criminal fashion," said President Petersen. "Instead of enforcing laws and holding these terrorist cartel organizations accountable, the Mexican government is deflecting its responsibility for protecting Mexican citizens and is wrongfully pointing the finger at U.S. gun manufacturers for the violence in their nation. They're also attempting to undermine American sovereignty. I applaud today's decision by Supreme Court.  I'm proud to have worked with Republican states in an effort to uphold our nation's sovereignty, protect Americans' right to bear arms, and to safeguard our lawful gun manufacturers from those attempting to destroy this industry. I promise to continue to engage in legal battles on matters threatening our constitutional freedoms when Arizona's Attorney General refuses to do so."

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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
kquintero@azleg.gov