U.S. guns exported to Mexico with few controls on where they go are part of the growing human rights crisis in Mexico that is impacting migrants as well as Mexican communities. It is important during electoral debates to establish a new framework for Mexico and gun policies and support limits on U.S. gun exports to Mexico that contribute to the unprecedented levels of gun violence there.
Please call the Congressional Switchboard – 202-224-3121 – ask for the office of your Congressional Representative by name, then ask to speak to the staff person working on foreign policy or trade. When you reach the person, or if you get a voice mail, say the following:
“My name is ______, and I am a constituent of Representative _____. I urge him/her to support efforts to prevent guns exported from the United States from getting into the hands of human rights abusers or organized crime, especially in Mexico. These legally-exported weapons have already been used in massacres, disappearances, and by security forces that collude with criminal organizations or those who have committed serious human rights violations. Will you recommend that your boss support legislation to stop exporting deadly weapons without end user controls?”
Thank the staff person and ask her or him to get back to you, with your phone number.
If the receptionist for the Representative suggests you contact the staff person by email, take down their email address and use the same text as above.
You can also send an email to your Congressional Representative.
The House has already passed H.R. 8, which would establish universal background checks for gun purchases in the United States. Congress should support using similar background checks for overseas buyers of U.S. weapons, including military weapons such as machine guns and apply similar standards to weapons sales to Mexico and all other countries.