The WSJ Reveals Mexican Cartels’ Favorite Firepower

As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear an almost laughable lawsuit regarding whether Mexico can sue American gun manufacturers for the violence committed by cartels in their country, The Wall Street Journal’s(WSJ) Steve Fisher and Roque Ruiz decided to dig in and try to find out just what are the “hot” items cartels are shopping for among the American marketplace. Mexico, enabled by a brutally poor economy, weak government and notoriously corrupt officials in every bureaucratic capacity, has been engulfed in epic bloodshed between violent drug gangs for years. 

If you have a subscription with WSJ, you can check out the full article on their website. If not, we’ve summarized it below.

Here are the top firearms coveted by Mexican cartels, as outlined by the WSJ:

The M134 Minigun: A six-barrel machine gun capable of firing 4,000 bullets per minute. Often used to protect high-profile drug leaders, it can destroy a small vehicle in moments and is reserved for extreme operations where overwhelming firepower is needed. It’s not a gun available to the U.S. civilian market.

The Barrett .50 Caliber: This armor-piercing weapon is effective against military gunships and armored vehicles. It’s assigned to mid-level cartel members who actively engage with federal forces, making it one of the deadliest weapons in cartel arsenals.

M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon): A lightweight machine gun capable of firing 850 rounds per minute. This prized weapon is used by top cartel leaders’ security details, symbolizing status and power among criminal ranks.

Colt Custom Pistols (“El Jefe” and “El Grito”): These engraved .38 Super pistols are a mark of status among cartel bosses. One such pistol, custom-made with gold and jewels, was seized from a Gulf Cartel leader, demonstrating the prestige associated with these collector items.

AK-47 (called the “Goat’s Horn” by cartels): Known for its simplicity, reliability (even when not properly cared for and beat around in rough conditions) and firepower, the AK-47 is the most common assault-style weapon among cartel foot soldiers. Its affordability and ease of use make it the go-to firearm for the rank and file.

Rocket Launchers: The M72 LAW antitank rocket launcher is used to target the Mexican military and destroy armored cartel vehicles. These powerful weapons are smuggled into Mexico for heavy combat situations.

Beretta .22 Pistol: Given to low-ranking cartel members, this cheap pistol is used in low-profile killings and extortion. New recruits, often including children, are frequently armed with these weapons.

While the Mexican government claims these firearms are fueling violence, American gunmakers maintain that they cannot be held liable for the actions of drug cartels and illegal arms smugglers arguing that legal, non-defective products are being misused downstream. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for both gun rights and the firearms industry in the U.S. If allowed to proceed, and quite possibly, even if it doesn’t, the U.S. should consider similar lawsuits for cartel violence allowed to carry over into the U.S., for the number of Mexican illegal immigrants who sneak across the border and the funds needed to care for them or more wisely return them home or for every fentanyl and drug death from drugs that originate in or are smuggled into the U.S. by Mexican cartels. But that would just make too much sense.