17% could be closer to the accurate percentage—if you are not familiar with the arms manufacturing industry and laws in the US, it might seem from TV reports that more come from the US. In reality, the US arms industry was long ago diminished by the decline in hunting and other factors in the US accompanied by the rise in foreign manufacture. Also, full auto, RPG’s, grenades and the like are virtually impossible to own in the US or are so heavily regulated and traced that it is doubtful any have gone to Mexico. For guns that DO exist in the US, few are made in the US other than Rugers, Smith and Wessons, and some Remingtons. These are more costly and not as available as the AK-types which are made in other countries as are many handguns and other arms. Guns made in Hungary, Brazil, Russia, etc are simply much cheaper than guns made in the US and have taken over much of the market. The US is simply not a gun making country like it was in the 19th century.
Agreed. I am not very familiar with gun manufacturing but I am aware that fully automatic AKs are not manufactured here. My only gun experience was M1, M16 and M1911A1. Allow that I was replying to a contribution to a person attempting to defend the 90% statement and the key point I was making was the final sentence. “So why did he say 90% if there is no factual support for that number”