GAO Ties U.S. Guns to Mexico Violence

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WASHINGTON -- A new study by the Government Accountability Office says most firearms recovered in drug violence in Mexico come from the U.S., a finding that will likely fuel the politically charged debate over the U.S. government's efforts to stem gun trafficking across the border.

Drug-related murders have more than doubled in number to 6,200 last year from 2,700 in 2007, according to the GAO study, a draft of which was reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. The study is set to be released Thursday.

Mexican officials have pushed for the U.S. to enact tougher gun laws and to help restrict arms smuggling as Mexico attempts to battle drug cartels on its territory.

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How will they explain that the weapons being used by the Cartels are not readily available to the average U.S. citizen ?

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agencies have arrested 36 gang members and associates and seized 69 guns. The stunning display of evidence is the biggest gun seizure in Nebraska history.

Agents also seized about $40,000 in cash and small amounts of cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, and marijuana.

Among those arrested, Jesus Rocha-Cruz, who lived in a mobile home park off 63rd and Grover. Agents say he had been selling methamphetamine and illegal guns.

Rita Vaccaro describes the scene that unfolded at her neighbor’s place early Tuesday morning. "And I looked out the window, and I saw, uh oh, these policemen and somebody up against the trailer with a gun."

She adds, "I thought, ‘Oh, I hope they don't shoot guns, because they'll go right through the trailer houses and could kills somebody.’"

There were no shots fired during that raid, but an arsenal of 69 firearms in total were seized throughout several locations in Omaha and one in Lincoln. They include 22 handguns, 14 assault rifles, 16 shotguns, and 17 rifles, including a Barrett .50-caliber sniper rifle.

"They're an expensive gun, four or five thousand dollars," says Jeff Fulton of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Fulton adds all of the weapons seized can be legally owned, typically by sportsmen. However, these guns were in illegal hands. Informants revealed the guns were headed to Mexican cartels.




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