The WSJ reveals Mexican cartels’ preferred firepower

As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares for an almost laughable trial over whether Mexico can sue U.S. gun manufacturers for the violence committed by cartels in their country, The Wall Street Journal(WJ) Steve Fisher and Roque Ruiz decided to dig in and try to find out what the “hot” items are that cartels are after in the US market. Mexico, made possible by a brutally poor economy, a weak government and notoriously corrupt officials in every bureaucratic capacity, has been engulfed in epic bloodshed between violent drug gangs for years.

If you subscribe to WSJ, you can view the full article on their website. If not, we’ve summarized it below.

Here are the top firearms coveted by Mexican cartels, as outlined by the WJ:

The M134 minigun: A six-barrel machine gun that can fire 4,000 rounds per minute. It is often used to protect top drug leaders, can destroy a small vehicle in moments, and is reserved for extreme operations that require overwhelming firepower. It is not a weapon available for the US civilian market.

The Barrett .50 caliber: This armor-piercing weapon is effective against military combat ships and armored vehicles. It is assigned to mid-level cartel members who actively cooperate with federal forces, making it one of the deadliest weapons in the cartel’s arsenals.

M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon): A lightweight machine gun that can fire 850 rounds per minute. This prized weapon is used by the security details of top cartel leaders and symbolizes status and power among the criminal ranks.

Colt custom pistols (“El Jefe” and “El Grito”): These engraved .38 Super pistols are a sign of status among cartel bosses. One such gun, custom-made with gold and jewels, was seized by a Gulf Cartel leader, demonstrating the prestige associated with these collectibles.

AK-47 (called the “Goat Horn” by cartels): Known for its simplicity, reliability (even when improperly cared for and used in rough conditions), and firepower, the AK-47 is the most common assault weapon among cartel foot soldiers . Its affordability and ease of use make it the firearm of choice for the common man.

Rocket launchers: The M72 LAW anti-tank missile launcher is used to attack the Mexican army and destroy cartel armored vehicles. These powerful weapons are smuggled into Mexico for heavy combat situations.

Beretta .22 pistol: This cheap gun is given to low-ranking cartel members and used in stealth assassinations and extortion. New recruits, often including children, are often armed with these weapons.

While the Mexican government claims these firearms fuel violence, U.S. gun manufacturers argue they cannot be held liable for the actions of drug cartels and illegal gun traffickers, who allege legal, non-defective products are being misused downstream. The outcome of the case could have significant consequences for both gun rights and the firearms industry in the US. If allowed to continue, and quite possibly even if not, the US should consider similar lawsuits over cartel violence allowed to be transferred to other countries. the US, for the number of illegal Mexican immigrants sneaking across the border and the resources needed to care for them or, more sensibly, return them home, or for every fentanyl and drug death resulting from drugs originating from or smuggled into the US by Mexican cartels. But that would just make too much sense.