On May 22, 2024, The Buckeye Institute, in collaboration with Mountain States Legal Foundation, submitted an amicus brief in the case of Smith & Wesson v. Mexico. The brief urges the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case and assert that Mexican officials cannot hold American companies accountable for drug cartel crimes within their borders.
David C. Tryon, director of litigation at The Buckeye Institute, stated, "When Congress passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, it was clear Congress intended to protect the Second Amendment. This case is an attempt by Mexico to blame American companies for its failure to control crime in Mexico. That is exactly the type of thing Congress sought to protect against."
The brief contends that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit made an error when it overturned a district court's dismissal of the case. Both organizations are advocating for the U.S. Supreme Court to accept Smith & Wesson’s petition and reverse the First Circuit’s decision which they argue allows a foreign government to undermine Americans' rights.