Executive Summary

U.S. firearms trafficking to Mexico and Canada is a significant threat for the security of all countries involved. In fact, this illicit trade fuels cartel violence and armed crime. Despite attemps to solve the issue, criminal organisations have maintained their activities. This is mainly due to weak U.S. gun regulations and the high profitability of transnational trafficking. Over time, efforts to track and end the problem have failed. These include the Mexico-facing Operation Fast and Furious (206-2011) and the establishment of the joint U.S.-Canada Cross Border Firearms Task force (2021).

Consequently, the effectiveness of new initiatives to combat the problem remains to be seen. Specifically, Canada in March created a Joint Operational Intelligence Cell to combat illegal cross-border matters. Moreover, the U.S. recently began signaling an intent to work to stem the flow of guns out of the country. Finally, the Mexican government in March presented to the U.S. Supreme Court its case against American gun manufacturers, accusing them of facilitating firearms trafficking.

Images Sourced From: DVIDS 1, DVIDS 2