“US focuses internally in war on drugs” and guns

[jody]

US focuses internally in war on drugs

WASHINGTON (AFP) — President Barack Obama's plan to fight Mexican drug cartels in the southwestern United States acknowledges that a domestic effort is needed in the cross-border war on illegal narcotics, experts say.

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Still needed on the US side: closing loopholes on the sales of weapons at gun shows that require no background checks, and closer cooperation among lower-level US and Mexican agents, Meyer said.

"It's certainly a long-term process," she said.

The Brady Campaign, a Washington-based group that supports stricter gun laws, said in a statement that border states like Texas and Arizona have "virtually non-existent gun laws" that "enable access to a ready supply of guns including assault weapons and .50 caliber sniper rifles."

Mexican criminals "cannot get the guns they need in Mexico because of Mexico?s strong gun laws," said group president Paul Helmke.

[jeepnstein]

1. Mexican criminals "cannot get the guns they need in Mexico because of Mexico?s strong gun laws,"

They also have very strict drug laws but seem to be able to buy and sell cocaine by the ton. What makes these fools think an operation with that kind of buying power has to sneak around and buy arms retail?

When "El Diablo" needs to arm his men I seriously doubt they have to sneak across the border to "Pete's Powder Room" or Wal Mart so they can pay full retail. They control billion dollar smuggling routes. They can get anything they want.

[jody]

2. IMO this gun issue is a gun-grabber scheme to renew AWB and ban all private sales of firearms. n/t

[Kolesar]

3. You don't think they "HAVE TO sneak across the border...", but they do get their guns from America

Maybe Mexico should build a wall to keep the American sleaze and corruption from ruining their country.

[jeepnstein]

5. Do too have to sneak.

There's a law against just crossing the border any old time you feel like it. Well, there was before everyone decided to just ignore that one. So let's make up a new law to enforce since the old one just wasn't fun enough to really put into practice! I have all sorts of suggestions that would make for a better society, at least as far as I'm concerned.

The Mexican government has all sorts of laws they've been ignoring that might come in handy. Isn't it a crime or something to possess more than a hundred pounds of cocaine? I think they also have one on the books about cooking your business rivals to death in an old oil drum, more or less. If the government weren't more afraid of it's own citizens than the drug traffickers they'd be having a Blue Light special on M4's down at the Mexican Army Gun Store. Oh wait, the drug traffickers own the government. Well never mind then.

So why is it we are even still discussing this mess with Mexico?

[Kolesar]

6. At least we agree that the gangsters are importing their firearms from America

Which is a better proposition than buying them in Mexico.

[TheWraith]

8. Why would they import from us?

They'd be paying three times as much for a semi-auto as they would to get a fully automatic rifle shipped in from China.

[jeepnstein]

11. Some guns, yeah...

If you want a chrome plated .38 super you pretty much have to buy it in the United States. I'm sure some guns just aren't available anywhere else. Guys who don't have access to the smuggling routes are probably buying American. Otherwise lawful Mexican citizens who are bracing for the impending collapse of their dirt bag ruling junta are probably getting guns from Americans, too.

You tell me, with a straight face, that a criminal who controls billions of dollars worth of smuggling routes needs to buy his guns full retail. Go ahead. I won't laugh too much. They practically own the entire Mexican government, at least the interesting bits of it. It's all fun and games until somebody gets their hands on a surface to air missile.

"Oh no, Senor, we must pay full retail at el Wal Mart for guns 'n ammo, those things are not legal in Mexico. This mountain of cocaine, I have no idea of how it got here."

[NewMoonTherian]

7. What evidence suggests...

that these guns are actually coming from America? I'm not being facetious, though I know my question may read like it. I've just recently become aware of the debate, and haven't seen a study or report to that effect.

[Kolesar]

9. Secretary of State Clinton

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE52O5RF20090325

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday that an "insatiable" appetite in the United States for illegal drugs was to blame for much of the violence plaguing Mexico.

"We are. How could anybody conclude any differently?" Clinton told reporters in response to a question during a flight to Mexico for a two-day visit likely to be dominated by a drug war that killed 6,300 people in Mexico last year.

Clinton's visit comes as Washington has announced plans to ramp up security on the increasingly dangerous U.S.-Mexico border. Fears are growing that the spiraling violence in Mexico will spill over into the southern United States.

"Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade. Our inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border to arm these criminals causes the death of police officers, soldiers and civilians," Clinton said. "I feel very strongly we have a co-responsibility."
edit:
And ATF
Cartels' guns flow from U.S.
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/mar/25/1n25guns011211-guns-flow-south-border/

[Tejas]

13. approximately 50 Democratic Representatives on the hill say you're as

ignorant on the subject as Holder. They wrote him a statement explaining their views on the subject, the next one they send will probably wind up on Sec. Clinton's desk.

By the way, feel free at any time to show any links whatsoever as proof Mexican drug cartels armed themselves through US gun stores.

[TheWraith]

10. Basically, the Mexican government says so.

The fact is though that actual evidence for more than a handful of incidents is extremely lacking. The weapons that the cartels are using--automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, etcetera--are illegal in the US, and so there's no way to prove they came through here.

[Tejas]

14. Call the ATF with your intel ASAP, maybe you can be a hero!

You do know that the ATF claimed a dealer *sold 700 guns to druglords*, but the case was dismissed?

But hey, don't let that stop you, maybe you could send them the link you posted, it's FULL of evidence to get started with.




*sold 700 guns to druglords*
(a little out've context but you get the idea)

[Hoopla Phil]

4. IF the cartel's guns come from the U.S. WHY won't they give up the serial numbers?!

[Tejas]

12. because all they are finding are

North Korean AK's, and due to NK wanting anonimity for their exports their rifles are probably not serial numbered.


Wonder if Chavez is numbering his?

;)