International terrorism?

The national news this evening mentioned that the Federal Government here would appoint a special prosecutor to look into the shooting in El Paso, which the Mexican government has said was an act of “international terrorism”.  Given that it was (and fits all the legal definitions the US imposed on other countries where it wanted to impose its solutions on the “perps”) Mexico certainly will get its due, and be privy to any US investigations.  THis could have some interesting effects. Those in the US who have commented on it suggest it means Mexico could open various US arms makers and sellers to lawsuits, which I suppose it could, but even if they can’t (given the US law protecting arms makers from liability for misuse… or rather, intended use… of their products), it could have a major impact.

It’s irrelevant whether Mexican investigators are good, bad or indifferent. By demanding this be treated as international terrorism, Mexican authorities will have access to US findings… which can, in turn, be given to Mexicans and other victims (and their families) as discovery for the wazoos of lawsuits that can (and will) be filed against everyone from Walmart to the State of Texas and the Federal Government.

Furthermore, based on the findings, Mexico can slap sanctions on various businesses and individuals the Mexicans see as being at fault. No effect on the US? Let’s say Remington Arms is seen as contributing to the terrorist attack. Remington Arms is owned by Cerebus Capital Management, which has substantial investments in all kinds of US businesses. Getting a few other countries to agree to the Mexican sanctions (or just Mexico alone) would hugely impact US exports and investments.

Or, say it held the State of Texas responsible, and sanctioned the state and its officials.  What would be the effect on the US economy (to say nothing of the US economy) if no Texas business could do any business in Mexico?  Or, if to collect settlements, the Mexicans froze the assets of US businesses in the country?  I bet the businesses, and the politicians would be begging their representatives to change the laws to those Mexicans (and every other relatively sane person in the world) would like to see when it comes to US firearms laws (or lack thereof).

More practically, the Mexicans want the US to at least crack down on its practically non-existent enforcement of laws against gun smuggling, and force certain US officials to watch their tongues.

If US people benefit, all the better.