Report Finds ‘Significant Weaknesses’ in US Effort to Stop Mexico Gun Trade

The U.S. Department of Justice says efforts to keep U.S. firearms out of the drug war in Mexico been hampered by failures of a federal agency tasked with tracing and seizing the weapons.

A report by the department’s Office of Inspector General says the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has significant weaknesses in its plan to stop the cross-border gun trade.

The report criticizes the agency’s “Project Gunrunner” for targeting less important arms dealers, instead of higher-level traffickers and smugglers.

It also says the ATF does not consistently share strategic information with its partners in Mexico and the United States.

In response, ATF Deputy Director Kenneth Melson pointed out some of the agency’s successes, such as increased investigations of suspected traffickers and gun dealers. He said the agency is committed to building on these successes and improving the program.

Some information in this story was provided by AP and Reuters.