The problem with that statistic is that it is only partially true.
There is a word missing – and that word is “traced.”
The U.S. is responsible for over 90 percent of the traced firearms found in Mexico, but the vast majority of guns recovered in Mexico are not sent back to the U.S. to be traced because they are obviously made somewhere else.
Mexico is a virtual arms bazaar with weapons, like their illegal drugs, pouring into Mexican ports. And most importantly, the most powerful weapons like rocket propelled grenades, hand grenades and fully automatic assault weapons – are all illegal in the U.S. These are not weapons that can be bought over the counter in Texas and smuggled illegally into Mexico.
The article goes on to say, and I agree, that the real problem is drug use in the US. That’s what’s fueling the violence.
It’s time to seriously consider legalizing drugs. Before the insurgency spills over into the US. And it’s already in Phoenix and Tucson.
Tip: Reader Russell King, who emails:
The 90% story didn’t hold up. Now the NRA/Fox goons are using it as “proof” of how we — the Left, the media and the Obama administration — all conspired to spread this “deliberate lie.” These sons of bitches don’t need us to help them. From what I’m reading, the cartels are getting most of their full-auto weaponry from other countries, and some significant portion of their fire power is from Mexican cops/military who jump sides to the drug lords and take their weapons with them — weapons the US gov’t supplied to the Mexican gov’t.
I’m with you: Legalize what they’re selling and their power will dry up.
