[DemforBush]

“Yes, it is an accepted fact that more machine guns (typically M16s) are sold to cartels from inside the Mexican military and police forces than are smuggled across the border from the United States.”

Interesting. I didn’t know Mexico had M16’s in any quantity. I thought I’d read somewhere their army and police primarily used the H&K G3. I guess they would have other weapons though.

The important thing is, they (the cartels) are able to get them because of corruption within Mexico’s borders. Maybe President Calderone should work on that instead of blaming the United States, hmm?

[AzSteven]

We (the United States govt) have been supplying Mexico's police and special forces with M-16s and M-4s for more than 10 years. The G-3 rifle is still in Mexican regular army service, but it is one of three standard longarms now, along with the FAL and the Mexican-produced FX-05 (based on the AR action). The FAL is largely in the hands of reserve units, and the G-3s are slowly being replaced with FX-05s.

The main source of ARs in Mexico is the Mexican police, who are the main recipients of the US aid.

Calderon's calim is a bit of clever sophistry - the weapons are in fact originally from the United States, but came into criminal hands from corrupt police and military officials, and in some cases theft.