Weapons: How Are They Acquired?

  Gun trafficking plays a major role in the border drug war. Drug cartels need weapons that aren't easily acquired in the country of Mexico. To their advantage, the U.S. is a few miles away, with weapons for sale and easy access to rapid fire weapons like the "mata policias" (the cop killer). The U.S. southeastern states have very loose gun laws for assault weapons; which can easily be bought by almost anyone. Assault weapons are illegal and not for public sale in Mexico; therefore, drug moguls smuggle weapons across the United States- Mexico border.(3)