MEXICAN GUNS TIED TO U.S.

American-Sourced Weapons Account For 70% of Seized Firearms iI
Mexico

The U.S. was the source of at least 70% of 29,284 firearms recovered
by authorities in Mexico in 2009 and 2010, according to new U.S.
government figures.

The statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives are expected to add to controversy over the U.S. role in
fueling drug-cartel violence in Mexico, which has killed more than
40,000 people since 2006.

U.S. gun-rights groups long have disputed assertions by the U.S. and
Mexican governments that trafficking from the U.S. is a major source
of weapons in the cartel wars. They have contended the majority of
Mexican guns come from Russia, China and elsewhere.

The controversy was fueled in recent years when U.S. officials backed
off earlier claims that up to 90% of firearms recovered in Mexico were
of U.S. origin.

The findings come as the ATF defends itself against congressional
critics for its Fast and Furious gun-tracking operation, which
lawmakers say inadvertently eased trafficking of weapons to cartel
gangs.

Lawmakers say the agency lost track of firearms and allowed 2,500
weapons into the hands of suspected traffickers. A weapons cache found
in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, in April included five firearms that the ATF
has now linked to suspects in the Fast and Furious operation., The
Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

The ATF figures show that 21,313 firearms recovered in Mexico in 2009
were submitted for tracing by the agency. Of these, 10,945 were
manufactured in the U.S. and 3,268 were imported into the U.S. from
third countries before ending up in Mexico. The origin of 7,100
firearms couldn't be determined.

Of 7,971 firearms recovered in Mexico in 2010 and traced by ATF, 4,186
were manufactured in the U.S. and 2,105 were imported into the U.S.
The origin of 1,680 firearms couldn't be determined.

Collectively, the data show that of the 29,284 firearms recovered in
Mexico in 2009 and 2010 and submitted to the ATF for tracing, 20,504
or 70% passed through the U.S. at some point. The period is the most
recent for which data are available.

The ATF said it traced the guns based on information provided by
Mexican authorities. The Mexican government doesn't submit every
firearm it recovers for tracing.

Mexico has strict restrictions on gun ownership, with most legitimate
sales processed through one store on a military base near Mexico City.

ATF Acting Director Kenneth Melson provided the data to Sen. Dianne
Feinstein (D., Calif.), who requested the information. It represents
the first such analysis to be made public by the agency. The law
limits how ATF can share the data it obtains from tracing guns used in
crimes.

Sen. Feinstein, chairman of the Senate Caucus on International
Narcotics Control, said in a May letter to Mr. Melson that
"military-style weapons are arming Mexico's brutal drug trafficking
organizations at an alarming rate. Releasing data on firearms
recovered in Mexico that originate in the United States will ensure
that the American public and policymakers are aware of the severity of
this problem."

The figures prompted strong reactions from advocates on both sides of
the U.S. gun-control debate.

Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle
Association, said he doubted the ATF figures. He said given the ample
resources of drug cartels, traffickers easily import weapons from
Russia, China, and Central America, rather than risk trying to smuggle
firearms from the U.S. "I think all these numbers are phonied up for
politics," Mr. LaPierre said in an interview. "The law enforcement
people I talk to tell me this doesn't make sense."

Dennis Henigan, vice president of Brady Center to Prevent Gun
Violence, said: "The traffickers are following the path of least
resistance. They're going to American gun shops, exploiting the
permissive U.S. gun laws. It's beyond time for the United States to
strengthen its gun laws and shut down the trafficking."

[sidebar]

Drawing Fire

Origin of firearms recovered by U.S. authorities in Mexico in 2009-2010

15,131 : Manufactured in the U.S.

5,373 : Imported to U.S. from third country

8,780 : Origin undetermined

Source: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives