Democrats Push to Halt Ammunition Sales to Civilians Linked to Cartel Violence
Democratic lawmakers have introduced federal legislation to ban defense contractors and government-owned plants from selling high-caliber ammunition to civilians, following reports of U.S.-made ammunition being trafficked to Mexican drug cartels. The bill also seeks to prevent the sale of assault weapons to the public by Pentagon contractors.
Investigation Reveals Ammunition Trafficking
The legislative push comes after an investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and The New York Times revealed that .50-caliber ammunition manufactured at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, a U.S. Army-owned facility, has been diverted to cartels in Mexico. ICIJ reported that this ammunition has been used to wage war against the Mexican government.
According to the investigation, cartels have acquired large quantities of the ammunition through civilian dealers and smuggled it into Mexico, significantly increasing their firepower. Cartel gunmen have reportedly used .50-caliber firearms to down helicopters, assassinate government officials, attack police and military forces and carry out massacres of civilians.
Lake City Plant and Commercial Sales
The Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, located outside Kansas City, Missouri, is the largest producer of rifle rounds for the U.S. Government and its allies. It has produced billions of rounds of ammunition, including .50-caliber cartridges capable of penetrating armored vehicles, which have also been sold on the civilian market. ICIJ
While the plant is owned by the U.S. Government, it is operated by private contractors. The U.S. Army allows these contractors to manufacture products for commercial sale, intending to reduce costs for the military and ensure the facility remains operational even during periods of low military demand.
Legislative Efforts and Opposition
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) stated, “Americans’ tax dollars should not be used to fuel gun violence.” She emphasized the need to prevent taxpayer-funded ammunition from reaching violent criminals and terrorizing communities. ICIJ
Co-sponsors of the bill, the “Stop Militarizing Our Streets Act,” include Senator Andy Kim (D-Calif.), Representative Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), and Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.).
Previous attempts by Democratic lawmakers to restrict sales of Lake City ammunition to civilians have been unsuccessful. However, they express hope that this time will be different. Representative Robert Garcia stated, “We should not live in a world where weapons and ammunition sold by the government end up in the hands of violent criminals and are used to devastate our own communities.” ICIJ
In 2024, Republican attorneys general from 28 states opposed efforts to halt commercial production at Lake City, arguing that it is vital for national security and ensuring affordable ammunition for the public. ICIJ
Mexico’s Concerns
In February, Mexico’s defense minister reported that nearly half of the .50-caliber ammunition seized by the Mexican government bore the Lake City mark. ICIJ