November 28, 2023
(San José, Costa Rica) Global Action on Gun Violence (GAGV) and the Civil and Human Rights Clinic (CHRL) at George Washington University Law School testified before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) today on irresponsible gun industry practices and weak U.S. gun laws that contribute to violence and human rights violations in the Americas.
Professor Arturo Carrillo, director of CHRL and GAGV’s human rights lead, delivered the groups’ testimony.
“In the United States, a framework of lax gun laws provides ready access to firearms, grants generous immunity from civil liability for gun manufacturers and distributors, and enables dealers to sell guns that are easily obtained by criminals and gun traffickers,” stated Carillo. “Gun manufacturers, distributors and dealers contribute to illicit flows of firearms in and out of the United States…Manufacturers choose to supply the retail gun market through a three-tier distribution system that is easily abused.”
The hearing was held in response to Mexico’s request to the IACHR for an advisory opinion on the obligations of gun companies and countries under human rights law to prevent gun violence. In August, GAGV and CHRL filed a brief in support of Mexico’s petition.
Watch the testimony (starts at 1:19:25).
Learn more about GAGV’s work with Mexico.