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Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce
I don't think so, most of the pictures of seized cartel caches are eastern European or Chinese weapons. They would be cheaper and larger caliber then US weapons, also. Most of the US weapons pictured are fancy (gold plated, engraved) hand guns, for the big shots (no pun).
Oh, and it believe it's Clinton she, not he.
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A significant number of the weapons are exported from the US:
Quote:
Reportedly, 90% of confiscated guns that could be traced, originated in the United States.The ATF has reportedly traced 22,848 guns smuggled into Mexico from the United States since 2005, and it showed that between 2005 and 2008, Texas, Arizona and California are the three most prolific source states, respectively, for firearms illegally trafficked to Mexico. About 55% of guns smuggled from the U.S. are assault rifles. Mexican officials only submitted 32% of the guns they seized to the ATF for tracing, and less than half of those weapons had serial numbers. Overall, 83% of the guns found at crime scenes in Mexico could not be traced.
Mexican cartels often pay U.S. citizens to purchase assault rifles or other guns at gun shops or gun shows, then sell them to a cartel representative. This exchange is known as a straw purchase. Because there is no computerized national gun registry, tracking guns relies on a paper trail.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Drug_War
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Granted this only represents those weapons seized by the Mexicans and submitted to ATF...but it is not a small number.
Oh, and the "he" to whom I referrred was Bush, who created the
Merida Initiative in 2007-08. Obama/Clinton have continued with the program, with minor tweaks.
I dont want to throw good money after, and as I said, I have concerns about the Initiative, particularly as it funded right wing thugs like President Uribe (recently left office) and his para-military in Colombia.....but it is certainly in our interest to work with the Mexicans (and others) to take on the drug cartels.
IMO, Calderon is sincere in his interests in doing so, but too weak to make it happen, particularly w/o our assistance. The next president of Mexico could very go back to the old ways of corruption and turning their eyes from the problem.