This letter features reporting from “Mexican Government Vows To Continue Legal Fight Against U.S. Gun Manufacturers” by Toya Sarno Jordan and Stephania Corpi Arnaud
Dear Representative Walkinshaw,
I would like to congratulate you on your win this September. I saw how you and your staff labored to demonstrate your commitment to our district. Additionally, I greatly admire your resilience in navigating a tumultuous first month in Congress.
Today I am writing to urge you to take action against lax gun laws which threaten our community. In the October 2022 article “Mexican Government Vows To Continue Legal Fight Against U.S. Gun Manufacturers,” Texas Public Radio covered a lawsuit by the Mexican government against gun manufacturers who supplied weapons to drug cartels. Manufacturers such as Beretta and Colt supplied guns that led to the unfortunate death of over 20 individuals, including the mayor of San Miguel Totolapan.
Though the Supreme Court rejected the case in June 2025, the story serves as a solemn call for reform. In 2023, there were 1,237 gun-related deaths in Virginia—exceeding the national average—resulting in 14.3 billion in damages for the state, not considering the psychological detriment of those affected. My grandfather, who lived through the Korean War, recounts how violence tore communities apart, leaving generational scars. As an anxious constituent, I urge you to take action to push for accountability for firearm manufacturers while tightening illicit gun trades in our district.
The writers of the article, Toya Sarno Jordan and Stephania Corpi Arnaud, express their concerns about the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, or the PCLAA, which frees gun manufacturers from responsibility for the crimes committed using their firearms. The article discusses how gun distributors have placed “more and more assault weapons, rifles, [and] military style weapons” in the hands of criminals, resulting in more civilian casualties. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a vocal critic of the act, states the legislation strengthens the notion for gun manufacturers that “the law doesn’t apply to us.”
To exacerbate the situation, a 2024 report from the Wilson Center states that the U.S. government estimates around 68% of illicit firearms in Mexico flow from the U.S., while the Mexico Secretariat of Foreign Relations estimates a higher figure between 70–90%. Though a large portion of this stems from border states, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives identifies Virginia as a key point of illicit gun flow through “The Iron River.” This stems from the relatively lax gun regulations in Virginia.
The PCLAA has set an unfair precedent in which gun manufacturers avoid culpability. Illicit activity of U.S. corporations have long caused unrest in Latin America. For example, in 1928, troops sponsored by the United Fruit company shot at Colombian workers demanding better wages, which was decried in Gabriel García Márquez’s novel One Hundred Years of Solitude. In addition, loosening the consequences for negligent gun distribution causes a vicious cycle of violence, worsening the myriad of gun issues in our community. I have seen your concerns for gun violence firsthand through your office, and therefore I encourage you to oppose the PCLAA, arguing for reform and protecting our community from preventable violence. Lastly, I ask that you collaborate with the Virginia State Legislature to advocate for stricter gun sale laws to identify illicit sales leading to violent crime.
The purpose of these changes is not to infringe upon the rights of gun owners; instead, it is a measure to prioritize public safety during gun distribution, promoting peace in our community. Thank you for your consideration. I hope that you will act on this pressing matter.
Sincerely,
David Choi
David is a junior in Oakton High School who is interested in history and government. Some of his favorite historical topics are business-related history in the 20th century and the 17th century spice trade. In his school, he is part of the We the People club, which focuses on the U.S. Constitution and governance. He volunteers at local historic sites, where he enjoys researching and sharing stories from the past. Outside of this, David plays the violin in his school orchestra.
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