FOX News Reports On The Myth Of "90 percent" (of the firearms in Mexico come from the USA)

NRA - ILA ^ | April 03, 2009 | NA

[TigersEye]

IIRC, the M-16 is far from being the most common weapon obtained from drug gangs in Mexico.

Like I said; neither I nor the two articles used as sources here are making the claim that the majority of drug cartel weapons come from the U.S. Legally or illegally. But it is clear that a lot of hardware from legally sanctioned U.S. sources is available in Mexico and other Latin American countries.

More Than $1 billion In Private-Sector Weapons Exports Approved For Mexico Since 2004

That means the total value of defense-related hardware and service exports by private U.S. companies to Mexico tallied nearly $5 billion over the four-year window. And that figure doesn’t even count the $700 million in assistance already authorized under the Merida Initiative [Plan Mexico] or any new DCS exports approved for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 [which ends Sept. 30].

Following is a sample of the types of arms shipments approved for export to Mexico through the DCS program during fiscal years 2006 and 2007 alone:

• • $3.3 million worth of ammunition and explosives, including ammunition-manufacturing equipment;
• • 13,000 nonautomatic and semiautomatic firearms, pistols and revolvers at a total value of $11.6 million;
• • 42 grenade launchers valued at $518,531;
• • 3,578 explosive projectiles, including grenades, valued at $78,251;
• • Various night-vision equipment valued at $963,201.

They get Federales in 50-cal equipped Hummers to escort coyotes over the border, so why not?

Yet you are making the case that the drug cartels are not armed with American equipment taken from the Mexican army!?! But they are getting American made Humvees and .50 cals complete with troops to man them??? That is a mighty fine line those gangsters walk. Hired Federales with Humvees and Ma Deuces but no M-16s.

[TigersEye]

IIRC, the M-16 is far from being the most common weapon obtained from drug gangs in Mexico.

Could you give us the source of your information and tell us what is the most common weapon taken from Mexican drug gangs? That would be helpful to us all since everything I have read says the Mexican gov, the ATF and our own State Dept. have been unwilling or unable to provide that information.

But that assumes the Mexican government, and our own government, really want to trace those weapons. A November 2008 report in the San Antonio Express News, which includes details of the major weapons seizure in Reynosa, Mexico, that same month involving the Zetas, reveals the following:

Another example of coordination problems occurred this month. Mexican authorities in Reynosa across the border from McAllen, seized the country’s single largest stash of cartel weapons — nearly 300 assault rifles, shoulder-fired grenade launchers and a half million rounds of ammunition.

But weeks later, Mexican authorities still have not allowed the ATF access to serial numbers that would help them track down the buyers and traffickers on the U.S. side.

[Carry_Okie]

Could you give us the source of your information and tell us what is the most common weapon taken from Mexican drug gangs?

Look at the pricing. The average world price for an AK-47 is around $150. That would have to mean that the supply is virtually unlimited. The AK is one of the most reliable weapons ever made. NOBODY could make a profit transporting weapons from the US and selling them there for that price.

So, why buy an M-16 when you can get an AK that cheap?

[TigersEye]

For the third time; I have not argued (nor have the sources I cited) that most arms in drug gang's hands are from the U.S. I have pointed out repeatedly that the majority of arms confiscated have not even been submitted to tracing efforts.

You made the claim that the M-16 was not the most common weapon found. (it is also not the only U.S. made military rifle either) Many FReepers have been working hard to find out what is being found and where it came from. If you have information about that please share it with the forum.

[Carry_Okie]

You made the claim that the M-16 was not the most common weapon found. (it is also not the only U.S. made military rifle either).

I stated it as a recollection, not a "claim."

Many FReepers have been working hard to find out what is being found and where it came from.

Anybody who has such sources would be VERY unlikely to divulge them, because the people in a position to know would take a very dim view of such a revelation.

[TigersEye]

So, why buy an M-16 when you can get an AK that cheap?

I will also repeat what I said about that in the first place. Free is still cheaper than $150.

[TigersEye]

Anybody who has such sources would be VERY unlikely to divulge them, because the people in a position to know would take a very dim view of such a revelation.

IOWs there is no reliable information, from any source, as to what the drug gangs have or where they are getting it. We have your recollection, from an apparently unremembered source, that something other than M-16s are the most found drug gang weapon. A "recollection" I did not tacitly disagree with.

You have danced around every question I have put to you and all the supporting information I have produced so I don't really know what point it is you're trying to make. The bottom line is the drug gangs aren't getting much from gun shops, gun shows or any other civilian source in the U.S.

[neverdem]

Thanks for the links.

[TigersEye]

You’re welcome. Apparently one is the same FOX News article your link leads to. I didn’t realize that when I posted it. Oh well. It can’t have too much exposure.

[Carry_Okie]

For the third time; I have not argued (nor have the sources I cited) that most arms in drug gang's hands are from the U.S.

Please show where I said that you did.

I have pointed out repeatedly that the majority of arms confiscated have not even been submitted to tracing efforts.

That is now common knowledge. So what?

You made the claim that the M-16 was not the most common weapon found. (it is also not the only U.S. made military rifle either)

Correct. According to the Fox News article, The Myth of 90 Percent, the several sources listed Asia, Russia, Israel, South Korea, Spain, and "former Soviet block manufacturers."

Hence my comment, that if I recall correctly, the majority of weapons are not M-16s which, frankly, should be obvious. You are making a mountain out of a mole-hill, reading more into what I said than what I meant.

If I had any other source of information, I would surely not divulge it to you on a public forum. For such information to be citable and definitive would require significant information on illegal gun trafficking I do not possess. For you to ask a long standing FReeper to do that, is thus effectively setting them up for a knock on the door. Why would you do that?

[TigersEye]

Please show where I said that you did.

You have repetitiously made the point that Mexican gangland arms are not mostly from the U.S. I just figured you had a point in that somewhere.

That is now common knowledge. So what?

So what is your point arguing whatever obscure point it is that you're making? Or are you simply babbling with no point to make?

Hence my comment, that if I recall correctly, the majority of weapons are not M-16s which, frankly, should be obvious.

I never said they were so, again, what is your point if any?

If I had any other source of information, I would surely not divulge it to you on a public forum. For such information to be citable and definitive would require significant information on illegal gun trafficking I do not possess. For you to ask a long standing FReeper to do that, is thus effectively setting them up for a knock on the door. Why would you do that?

That is the nuttiest screed I have read in a while. You made a statement (recollection/whatever) regarding what the most common arm is taken from the drug gangs. I asked you for something more than your recollection to back it up. It is a common request here at FR and always has been. Paranoid much? lol