Fairly interesting interview here about the Mexican drug gangs. In brief, they're all over the US, and their presence includes large growing operations in national and state parks.
Then the interviewee, Sylvia Longmire, 36, former Air Force Special Agent, former senior border security analyst for the State of California and author of the upcoming book "Cartel: The Coming Invasion of Mexico's Drug Wars" goes off the track.
Are the reports that the U.S. exports as many weapons down to Mexico as the cartels bring drugs into the U.S. true?
This is a very delicate political issue. Nobody knows for sure where the cartels' weapons come from because they can't all be traced. They do use military-grade weapons, but their weapons of choice are pistols and AK-47s. Most of the weapons that have been successfully traced have been traced back to the U.S.
Nice spin, Sylvia. Only 15% (or less) of drug-gang weapons HAVE been traced at all.
In other words, 85% of the weapons cannot be traced. There's a reason for that: they are purchased from South America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe--and they are "obtained" from the corrupt Mexican military.
Not to be bothered with facts, Sylvia blames the NRA.
...The NRA will argue to the death that's it not true that the cartels' drug weapons come from the U.S. ... it's hard to comprehend the insane amount of influence the NRA wields. The NRA says the cartels' weapons are not coming from the U.S., and nobody goes against them because of the number of votes they get politicians...
Umnnhhh....perhaps "nobody goes against them" because NRA's arguments are fact-based, Sylvia?
Look, Sylvia: MEXICO is the problem here. They can't, or won't, enforce their own laws. They can't, or won't, prosecute corruption. The Mexican politicians are far more corrupt than are the US politicians (so far.)
Dimwit.
AK's from the U.S.? Hmmm....thought that was a Russian-made weapon. maybe from oh, say...Cuba....Venezuela?
ReplyDeleteWell, you don't really need to resort to name-calling. That kind of precludes civil discourse on a subject, no?
ReplyDeleteI have to ask...you point out that 85% of guns seized in Mexico are never traced. Then how does the NRA or anyone else know with such certainty that they come from Central America or Asia? Note that I specifically said the majority of guns *successfully* traced were sold in the US. My main point is, and has always been, that *no one* - not the NRA, not the ATF, not the US government, and not the Mexican government - knows exactly what percentage of pistols and rifles being used by narcos in Mexico come from the US.
You also mention that the NRA and other groups use facts to demonstrate that the majority of those pistols and rifles come from elsewhere. What facts, investigations, statistics, reports, and/or studies are they using to support those claims? If their premise is so solid, why is it being disputed?
I also have to ask...if we can agree that Mexican cartels are profit-seeking entities who would prefer to do things the easiest and cheapest way possible, why would they look to sources other than the US for pistols and rifles when it's easier and cheaper to buy them here?
Just some points for (hopefully) civil discussion. And really, if you disagree with someone's point of view, calling them a dimwit doesn't automatically invalidate their points or make you look smarter :).
Well, thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteLet's start here:
if we can agree that Mexican cartels are profit-seeking entities who would prefer to do things the easiest and cheapest way possible, why would they look to sources other than the US for pistols and rifles when it's easier and cheaper to buy them here?
And you KNOW that 'weapons purchased in the US are "cheaper and easier"' exactly how?
You do NOT know the origin of ~85% of the weapons the druggies use, right? The Mexican Gummint doesn't, either.
Somehow, you also forgot to mention the pervasive corruption in Mexico. The Mexican Army's stock of M16-A1 rifles (partially paid for by US taxpayers) seems to have several severe "leaks" into the hands of drug gangs.
So--because the Mexican Government is corrupt, the US should modify the 2A?
Horsefeathers.
And one more thing: what "namecalling"? I specify that you're spinning the numbers--and you are. You're a very sensitive soul, for someone with all that crime-fighting military background.
It's not about being sensitive, and yes, being a Special Agent for eight years did give me a thick skin. I just have a different way of approaching people when I disagree with them, especially in a public forum.
ReplyDeleteOK, the cheaper and easier thing. The average street price for an AK-47 rifle in Honduras (just as an example) is roughly $9,000. If a cartel-employed straw buyer purchases one in Texas, he'll pay about $400. Down the road in Mexico, the ultimate user will pay around $3,000 in comparison. I'm sure I don't need to list the mileage difference between Texas and Mexico and Honduras and Mexico.
I didn't mention the extensive corruption in Mexico because I wasn't asked about it. Yes, many firearms that the cartels use come from Mexican military stocks. But the Mexican military purchased very specific types of pistols and rifles. Many firearms seized from cartels are different than those used by the military and police.
I don't believe the Second Amendment should be changed, and I don't believe the assault weapons ban should be reinstated because I don't think it would make a difference. Only two out of the 17 weapons on the ban list are preferred by the cartels. I do believe certain legislation like the Tiahrt Amendment should be repealed in order to facilitate the investigation of southbound weapons trafficking.
That's it, and I hope you're having a great Easter weekend :).
The average street price for an AK-47 rifle in Honduras (just as an example) is roughly $9,000. If a cartel-employed straw buyer purchases one in Texas, he'll pay about $400.
ReplyDeleteAnd if the cartel is purchasing from Venezuela? Iran? If an AK is worth around $400.00 in the US, it's certainly worth less than that if Chavez is underwriting the price.
Many firearms seized from cartels are different than those used by the military and police.
Yah, and the LA Times indicated that many of the weapons are grenades and grenade-launchers. Not something I can purchase at Ye Olde Gun Store in Dallas, right?
What other differences are there? Be specific...
I do believe certain legislation like the Tiahrt Amendment should be repealed in order to facilitate the investigation of southbound weapons trafficking
BATFE has already proved itself to be totally incompetent in tracking weapons going into Mexico, even the ones that BATFE, itself, purchased.
Crime-gun traces are not prohibited by Tiahrt. And you don't really want to start keeping lists of people who do ....ahhh...unpopular things, do you?
BTW, a full-auto M16 or AK costs around $10K in Wisconsin.
ReplyDeleteYou sure that you're comparing apples and apples? Full-auto or semi-auto for $9K Honduras?