Mexico aims to reshape the US firearm industry by suing gun makers

• March 7, 2025

President Donald Trump complains that our southern neighbor is not doing enough to stop illegal drugs from crossing the border. Mexico has a similar complaint about the United States and guns, as reflected in a case that the Supreme Court heard on the same day the tariffs took effect.

Officially, the Mexican government sued American gun manufacturers, blaming them for “aiding and abetting” the trafficking of firearms to drug cartels. But its real beef is with the Second Amendment, which prohibits the sort of sweeping gun restrictions that Mexican officials think public safety requires.

Although the Mexican Constitution notionally protects “the right to keep arms at home,” it gives the government wide latitude to decide which firearms civilians may own. Mexicans can legally buy authorized weapons from only a single outlet in Mexico City, all firearms must be registered with the government, and permission to carry guns in public for self-defense is nearly impossible to obtain.

In the United States, by contrast, the Constitution guarantees “the right of the people to keep and bear arms,” which the Supreme Court has said rules out policies such as banning handguns and requiring that people demonstrate a “special need” to carry them outside the home. The court also has said the Second Amendment covers weapons “in common use” for “lawful purposes like self-defense.”

Smith & Wesson, one of the gun makers sued by the Mexican government, says that contrast is the subtext of this case. The lawsuit, it notes, seeks not only $10 billion in damages but also “extensive injunctive relief imposing new gun-control measures in the United States,” including “universal background checks,” bans on “assault weapons” and magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, and “strict limits on ‘multiple sales’ of firearms.”

Mexico “makes no secret that it abhors this country’s approach to firearms,” Smith & Wesson says. “In essence, Mexico seeks to use Mexican tort laws to regulate how firearms are made and sold in the United States.”

The main barrier to that strategy is a 2005 federal law that generally bars tort claims against gun manufacturers, distributors or dealers based on “the criminal or unlawful misuse” of their products. Last year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit nevertheless allowed Mexico’s lawsuit to proceed based on an exception to that rule.

The exception applies when a business “knowingly” violates a state or federal gun law and that violation “was a proximate cause of the harm for which relief is sought.” Yet Mexico does not allege that gun manufacturers failed to comply with any relevant state or federal regulations.

Instead, Mexico objects to longstanding, perfectly legal business practices that it says have encouraged and enabled drug cartels to obtain American-made firearms. Those practices, Smith & Wesson notes, include manufacturing and promoting “America’s most popular rifle, the AR-15”; producing “large-capacity” magazines, “which are in fact standard-capacity magazines”; and participating in the federally authorized three-tier gun distribution system, in which manufacturers sell firearms to wholesalers that supply them to retailers.

According to the lawsuit, manufacturers should have foreseen that some portion of those guns — about 2%, Smith & Wesson estimates — would end up in Mexico, and they should have done more to prevent that outcome. That theory of liability, Smith & Wesson says, amounts to “an eight-step Rube Goldberg” contraption that stretches the meaning of “proximate cause” and “aiding and abetting” beyond recognition.

Mexico maintains that U.S. gun manufacturers have been openly and knowingly breaking the law for decades. If so, it is a mystery why no law enforcement agency has ever held them to account.

This lawsuit aims to reshape the U.S. gun industry directly, through a court order forbidding the practices that offend Mexico. It also aims to do so indirectly by reviving a liability threat that Congress rightly recognized as a danger to the constitutional rights that firearm manufacturers enable Americans to exercise.

Jacob Sullum is a senior editor at Reason magazine

​ Orange County Register 

Redondo boys basketball routs Los Alamitos, setting up third meeting with rival Mira Costa

• March 7, 2025

REDONDO BEACH — The Bay League’s boys basketball co-champions will get a third meeting this season, and this time with playoff bragging rights at stake.

Redondo outscored Los Alamitos by 20 points in the second quarter Thursday to run away with a 91-66 victory to advance to the CIF SoCal Regional Division I semifinals.

The Sea Hawks, who made 11 3-pointers, had four players score 17 or more points, led by senior guard Brayden Miner’s 20. Senior guard Hudson Mayes added 19 and juniors SJ Madison and Chace Holley chipped in 17 apiece in their second victory over the Griffins this season.

“We have pretty good firepower,” Redondo coach Reggie Morris Jr. said. “We took a poll the other day. I think we said six guys on our team have led the team in scoring at one point this season. So we’re pretty balanced and it makes it hard for people to key in on specific guys. When we’re sharing the ball it’s hard for people to lock in on who to take away.”

Redondo (27-5), the third seed, will be home against No. 7 seed Mira Costa (31-4) on Saturday at 7 p.m. The winner advances to the regional finals Tuesday night.

The Sea Hawks had a 12-point victory at Mira Costa in January before the Mustangs earned a share of the league title with a 69-68 win over Redondo on Feb. 4.

“We gave them one,” Miner said. “I’m not going to say it was a fluke, they got it fair and square. But we’re going to get ‘em.”

Mayes called the opportunity a “get-back” game.

“We got it posted in our locker room, them celebrating on our home court,” Mayes said. “That’s the first home game I’ve lost since I’ve been here with coach Morris.

“It’s going to be a big game, a lot of people there, a big environment. It’s a tiebreaker. … Our goal was to get an undefeated Bay League title and we didn’t do that. This is how we make up for it.”

The game was played at a frenetic pace from the start, as the Griffins (26-9) raced out to a 16-8 lead after senior forward Trent Minter’s 3-pointer with 2:35 left in the first quarter.

The Sea Hawks, who were plagued by seven turnovers in the quarter, answered with a 14-6 run to close out the quarter and tie the game capped by Holley’s 3-pointer at the buzzer.

In addition, the Griffins lost top defender Kedric Delaney to a left leg injury with 22.3 seconds left in the first. He did not return.

“To lose your best player on that side of the ball in a game like this, when they have as much talent as they do, combined with the second factor is fatigue,” Griffins coach Nate Berger said.

“Us losing someone who plays 16 to 20 minutes a night kind of put people in spots. … It kind of throws everything for a little bit of a loop.”

Tied 28-28 in the second, Redondo went on a 27-7 run over the final six minutes of the half to go into the locker room with a commanding 55-35 lead.

Berger credited Redondo’s physicality for making the difference.

“They played with a quicker pace and a stronger kind of presence,” Berger said. “They kind of imposed their will. Sometimes when that happens — and they are bigger, faster, stronger — the team who does what they did tonight, they’re going to go on runs. … Your only chance there is maybe get a couple calls to quiet it down, hit a couple shots to quiet it down.”

The key, Morris said, was the Sea Hawks’ ability to take care of the ball. Redondo had just six turnovers between the second and third quarters combined.

“Just making sure we take care of the ball and pass the ball to our team,” Morris said. “Once we did that, I think we got settled in.”

The Griffins made a brief run in the third, forcing three Sea Hawk turnovers and scoring seven consecutive points bookended by Samori Guyness’ 3-pointer and layup to pull within 65-49 at the 4:28 mark. Guyness finished with a team-high 20 points.

Mayes, though, was relentless driving to the basket throughout the contest. Back-to-back layups, including one through contact, ignited a 9-3 run to close the quarter and put Redondo in cruise control the rest of the way.

“Everyone eats,” Mayes said. “We don’t care who gets to score or who gets the ball.”

Los Alamitos closed out a season that was highlighted by the program’s first CIF Southern Section championship since 2007, winning the Division 1 title.

“You can’t pick another word other than proud,” Berger said. “Maybe happy would be your second one.

“You’ll have that ring, you’ll have that banner. That picture of this team will last forever and that’s something to cherish.”

​ Orange County Register 

Lakers rally to beat Knicks in OT for 8th straight win

• March 7, 2025

LOS ANGELES — Even during their best winning streak in several years, the Lakers haven’t had their “best stuff,” as Austin Reaves put it last week.

But they have been finding ways to win – a trend that continued on Thursday night when they rallied to beat the New York Knicks, 113-109 in overtime, for their eighth consecutive victory and 20th in their past 24 games.

“Our guys, in what felt like a playoff game at times,” Coach JJ Redick said, “really just gutted out a win.”

Luka Doncic led the way with 32 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds and four steals, opening the extra period with a fadeaway 14-footer and a pull-up 3-pointer for a five-point advantage (104-99) as the Lakers (40-21) improved to 9-2 since he made his debut for the team on Feb. 10.

“We’re well-connected,” Doncic said. “Obviously, there’s room for improvement, but I think we’re all well-connected. So I’m excited to be a part of this team.”

LeBron James finished with 31 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. The league’s all-time leading scorer made a clutch 3-pointer to tie the score at 96-all late in regulation after the Lakers trailed for 32 consecutive minutes.

Reaves, who returned on Thursday after missing the previous two games with a strained left calf, struggled in his first game since playing nine minutes in last Friday’s home win against the Clippers. The fourth-year guard finished with eight points on 2-of-13 shooting.

But after Jalen Brunson cut the Lakers’ lead to 105-104 in overtime, Reaves knocked down a corner 3-pointer – the only one he made in seven attempts – that was assisted by center Jaxson Hayes in the short roll out of a pick-and-roll with James to put the Lakers ahead by four with 2:40 left in the extra period.

“I don’t know if I’d have passed it to me in that situation with the game I was having,” Reaves quipped. “So I appreciate you, Jax.”

Redick added: “It was big time. He’s unwavering in that confidence.”

Brunson finished with a game-high 39 points on 13-of-26 shooting (12 for 13 from the free-throw line) to go with 10 assists for a double-double, but the All-Star guard left the game with 1:24 left after turning his right ankle on Reaves while driving to the basket.

Brunson made a pair of free throws to tie the score at 107-all before the Knicks (40-22) intentionally fouled to allow him to exit the game and head back to the locker room.

Hayes made a pair of free throws to put the Lakers ahead 109-107 with 59.7 seconds remaining.

After Karl-Anthony Towns committed an offensive foul while trying to grab a rebound over James, the 22-year NBA veteran made a pair of free throws for a 111-107 lead.

James grabbed a defensive rebound after OG Anunoby missed a free throw after drawing a shooting foul on a layup he made to cut the Lakers’ lead to 111-109. The four-time league MVP then made another pair of free throws to seal the win.

“I’ve always been a pretty good rebounder in my career and in my life, once I started playing the game,” James said. “It’s very important that we clean glass. Especially if we’re the team that gets stops. We don’t want to give up second opportunities and if I’m down there, I have to help and obviously do my part.”

The Lakers trailed for most of the second half, with their offense going cold – especially from behind the arc – after a strong start.

The Lakers were down by 13 in the third quarter and 10 midway through the fourth, but when they needed them most, their 3-point shots fell. They shot 7 for 15 from long range in the fourth quarter and overtime after going 7 for 27 in the first three quarters.

Gabe Vincent (12 points) made a pair of 3-pointers in the final six minutes of regulation, including a 27-footer that cut the Lakers’ deficit to 94-93 with less than three minutes left in the fourth. Vincent’s 3-pointer with 1:21 left in regulation capped a 19-6 run and gave the Lakers a 99-96 advantage.

“I mean, Gabe doesn’t make those four 3s,” Redick said, “we’re not even in the game.”

Rookie Dalton Knecht (11 points, four rebounds) also helped keep the Lakers’ offense afloat late.

The Lakers’ win streak is their longest since winning nine straight from Dec. 28, 2019 to Jan. 13, 2020.

“It’s just about work,” James said. “We got to continue to put the work in. We have an opportunity to get better and better each and every game. And we’re still continuing to learn each other, and that’s a good thing. That’s a good thing for us that we have room for improvement and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can become.”

​ Orange County Register 

Myles Che has a career night as UC Irvine crushes UC Davis

• March 7, 2025

DAVIS — Myles Che scored a career-high 31 points as the UC Irvine men’s basketball team rolled to an 88-59 victory over UC Davis in its penultimate game of the regular season on Thursday night.

Che shot 10 for 11 from the field, including 3 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 8 for 9 at the free-throw line. He is the first Anteater to score at least 30 in a game since Dawson Baker had 33 in a Feb. 23, 2023 loss to UC San Diego.

UCI (26-5 overall, 16-3 Big West), which had already clinched a top-two seed for the Big West Tournament, took control early against the Aggies and cruised to its fourth consecutive win. Despite playing without starting guard Justin Hohn, the Anteaters shot a sizzling 62.1% from the floor (18 for 29) in the first half, going 5 for 9 from 3-point range on their way to a 47-25 halftime lead.

Devin Tillis finished with 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting and seven rebounds, and Bent Leuchten had his fourth consecutive double-double (13 points, 12 rebounds) for UCI, which was never truly threatened in the second half. Jurian Dixon added 12 points and Torian Lee scored nine.

“Really pleased to come on the road and compete at the level we did tonight, and we did it without Justin Hohn,” said UCI coach Russell Turner, who said he was being cautious with Hohn and expects him to play in Saturday’s season finale. “I thought all of our guys were focused without him and in support of him. We knew the importance of this game and we really defended our level. We took great care of the basketball and made a bunch of shots early that stretched out a lead that we were able to maintain throughout the game.

“I thought Devin Tillis and Bent Leuchten were outstanding early. That entirely dictated the game. Myles Che had an incredible performance with 31 points on only 11 shots.”

Tillis had three points and an assist during a 7-0 run that gave UCI at 19-7 lead midway through the first half. Che had seven points during a stretch of about two minutes, the last of them on a strong three-point play for a 32-14 lead with five minutes left.

After the under-four media timeout, Dixon hit back-to-back 3-pointers and a baseline floater for a 43-20 lead with 2:19 left, and the rout was well underway.

UCI finished the night at 58.8% from the field (30 for 51) and went 20 for 23 at the free-throw line (87%), while holding the Aggies (15-15, 9-10) to 35.2% from the field and outrebounding them 36-24.

T.Y. Johnson had 24 points to lead UC Davis. Connor Sevilla added nine points and Pablo Tamba had eight.

UP NEXT

UCI closes the regular season at UC Santa Barbara on Saturday at 7 p.m.

BIG WEST STANDINGS

Through Thursday, March 6

UC San Diego – 27-4, 17-2

UC Irvine – 26-5, 16-3

CS Northridge – 21-9, 13-6

UC Riverside – 20-11, 13-6

UC Santa Barbara – 19-11, 11-8

UC Davis – 15-15, 9-10

CS Bakersfield – 14-18, 8-12

Hawaii – 15-15, 7-12

Cal Poly (SLO) – 13-18, 7-12

Long Beach State – 7-24, 3-16

CS Fullerton – 6-25, 1-18

​ Orange County Register 

Portola girls basketball beats El Capitan to reach CIF SoCal Regional semifinals

• March 7, 2025

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The list of obstacles in front of Portola’s girls basketball team appeared formidable Thursday in the CIF Southern California Regional at El Capitan of Lakeside.

The Bulldogs were well-prepared to respond.

Portola overcame a loud home crowd and spirit band, a taller opponent and foul trouble to collect a wire-to-wire 57-49 victory in a Division II second round game at El Capitan High.

The fifth-seeded Bulldogs (19-15), who are competing in the regional for the first time, play at top-seeded Monache of Porterville in the semifinals Saturday.

“Phenomenal,” Portola senior center Bianca Morrell said of the Bulldogs’ postseason run. “We haven’t been this far in forever. I’m just shocked. (It’s) our team camaraderie and working together.”

Portola, which reached the CIF-SS Division 2AA semifinals, united to oust No. 4 El Capitan (24-7), an Open Division team from the San Diego Section.

Guard Kara Niho scored a team-high 18 points, including four 3-pointers, and had four assists for Portola. Fellow guard Nina Saiki had 15 points, three assists and three steals.

Forward Amelia Booth added 10 rebounds for the Bulldogs while freshman guard Yuri Ha came off the bench to sink three 3-pointers en route to nine points.

Portola led by 20-5 in the first quarter but the score soon tightened. El Capitan trimmed its deficit to 26-24 early in the third quarter and trailed 51-45 with just over a minute left in the fourth. That’s when Madison Nguyen made one of the biggest plays of the game for the Bulldogs.

The transfer guard from Crean Lutheran stole the ball with 1:15 remaining and made a breakaway layup while being fouled. The three-point play gave Portola a 54-45 lead with 1:08 left, and highlighted the Bulldogs’ perseverance.

Nguyen picked up her fourth foul early in the third period and spent a considerable time on the bench before banking in her critical shot high off the glass.

“It’s not how hard you get hit but how hard you get hit and keep coming forward,” seventh-year Portola coach Brian Barham said. “It’s like life. Can you just keep persevering and fighting, and the kids we able to persevere and fight.”

“That and-1 finish is exactly what ended the game,” added the coach, whose also navigated three fouls on Booth. “We’re not teaching basketball. We’re teaching life.”

Portola said it felt prepared for an El Capitan team with a 6-foot-2 post and 5-foot-10 forward because of its tough schedule.

The Bulldogs finished second in the Pacific Coast League to Sage Hill, an Open qualifier in the Southern Section. They also played Open qualifier Fairmont Prep, Open champion Ontario Christian, Moreno Valley and JSerra among others.

Portola used the 5-foot-10 Morrell and 5-foot-7 Booth to guard El Capitan’s post players.

“Early on, having these hard games definitely helps us prepare,” Niho said. “Every game now, we know we’ve faced harder teams throughout the year.”

Monache defeated Palos Verdes 45-36 in another second round game.

In other regional games Thursday:

In Division I:

Fairmont Prep 63, Harvard-Westlake 56: Sarah Aldeguer scored 19 points and Maria Mejia and Adyra Rajan added 14 and 13 points, respectively, to pace the top-seeded Huskies (23-10). Fairmont Prep plays host to Windward in the semifinals on Saturday.

Sage Hill 58, Moreno Valley 34: Kamdyn Klamberg scored 17 points and Amalia Holguin had 16 points and four steals to lead the No. 2 Lightning (21-11), who play host to Brentwood in the semifinals Saturday.

In Division V:

Santa Ana 49, University Prep 36: Cynthia Silva scored 21 points and Kalleigh Solis had 11 points as the Saints won on the road to advance to Saturday’s semifinals at Hillcrest. Santa Ana fell to Hillcrest 36-26 in the CIF-SS Division 5-AA final last weekend.

​ Orange County Register 

Kyren Paris drives in 3 runs as Angels tie Mariners

• March 7, 2025

THE GAME: The Angels rallied from two separate two-run deficits in a Cactus League game that ultimately ended in a 5-5 tie with the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night in Peoria, Arizona.

PITCHING REPORT: Starter Kyle Hendricks gave up two runs on four hits over 3⅔ innings in the longest of his three outings this spring. The right-hander has three strikeouts in each of his first three starts and walked his first batter Thursday, while throwing 60 pitches. “The bad swings I’m getting, a lot of check swings, foul balls, stuff like that. I just know they’re not seeing it. They’re not on it. I’m not being predictable,” Hendricks said. … Left-hander Jose Suarez opened his relief outing with two strong innings, gave up a run in his third inning of work when he was hurt by a misplay in left-center by Kyren Paris and then finished the game with a pair of strikeouts.

OFFENSIVE REPORT: Jo Adell drove in a run on a two-out, fourth-inning single to match Jorge Soler and Nelson Rada with six RBIs this spring. … A Taylor Ward double in the fifth inning moved Chuckie Robinson to third base, with Robinson immediately scoring on a passed ball. … Paris delivered a go-ahead, three-run double in the seventh, which was helped by a bad route in left field, to give the Angels their first lead of the game at 5-4. Paris now leads the Angels with seven RBIs this spring. … Christian Moore and J.D. Davis each struck out in their first three at-bats. Davis, a third base candidate, has 12 strikeouts in 11 games.

UP NEXT: Angels split squad (LHP Yusei Kikuchi) vs. Diamondbacks (RHP Zac Gallen), Friday, 12:10 p.m., at Tempe Diablo Stadium, FanDuel Sports Network, 830 AM; Angels split squad (RHP Jose Soriano) vs. Royals (RHP Seth Lugo), Friday, 1:05 p.m., at Surprise Stadium

​ Orange County Register 

Man suspected of shooting 15-year-old teen boy in La Habra arrested

• March 7, 2025

A 44-year-old La Habra man with alleged gang affiliations was arrested Thursday, March 6, on suspicion of fatally shooting a 15-year-old teenage boy.

The shooting occurred Feb. 22 shortly after midnight in a commercial area on the 700 block of East Lambert Road. Officers responded to the area and found the teen, who sustained a gunshot wound and later died at the hospital, the La Habra Police Department said. Details on the victim and the circumstances leading up to the shooting were not released.

On Thursday, detectives arrested Michael Sanchez on suspicion of murder with a gang enhancement.

A spokesperson from the department could not be reached for additional information. The investigation is ongoing, police said.

​ Orange County Register 

UC Irvine women edge UC Davis to clinch top-2 seed in Big West Tournament

• March 7, 2025

IRVINE — The incentive was clear.

If the UC Irvine women’s basketball team could beat visiting UC Davis on Thursday evening, the Anteaters would lock up a double-bye into the Big West Tournament semifinals next week.

Getting to that point was never going to be easy, but UCI found a way when Nikki Tom sank a pull-up jumper with 1.6 seconds left, lifting the Anteaters to a 55-53 victory over the Aggies at the Bren Events Center.

The victory gave the Anteaters (20-9 overall, 14-5 Big West) their fourth straight 20-win season and a top-two finish in the Big West regular-season standings.

With that finish comes a guaranteed spot in the tournament semifinals next Friday in Henderson, Nevada.

“The double-bye was really what we were playing for today,” UCI coach Tamara Inoue said.

That prognosis didn’t look good when both teams came out of television timeout and the Aggies made two free throws to push their lead to 53-46 with 4:25 left, but the visitors didn’t score the rest of the way against a UCI team that came into the game sixth in the nation in field-goal percentage defense (35.3%) and 11th in scoring defense (54.2 ppg).

“Defense, that’s something we really push,” Inoue said. “Even though we were having some empties (possessions), we were getting back and defending really well.”

Summah Hanson entered the game during the timeout and the 6-foot-3 sophomore from Australia swished a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to four. She then sank two free throws to trim the lead to two with 3:30 remaining.

“I thought her 3 really turned it,” Inoue said of Hanson.

Deja Lee tied it with a short jumper with 2:47 left and neither team scored again until Tom’s game-winner.

“Before the play even started, Amelia (Scharpf) told me, ‘Be ready to shoot,’ so I was really prepared,” said Tom, a four-year starter. “I just knew my teammates trusted me to have that moment.”

Tom had missed all four of her field-goal attempts and had not scored prior to her go-ahead basket.

“Nikki knows time and score, so I knew she was going to take that shot,” Inoue said. “She’s smart. The stats don’t always show how valuable she is but Nikki, by far, is the most valuable player on the team.”

Hunter Hernandez scored 12 points and Lee and Olivia Williams finished with 10 points each for UCI, which closes out the regular season against visiting UC Santa Barbara on Saturday afternoon.

Megan Norris scored 15 points and Ryann Bennett contributed 12 for the Aggies (18-11, 12-7), who had won three straight entering the game.

“I came into this league and (UC Davis coach Jennifer Gross) kicked my butt the first three or four years,” Inoue said. “Just never let off the gas, and then we started to catch them a little bit, but there’s never a game that we play that’s not competitive.”

The Anteaters missed their first three shots of the game, but then got hot, building an 11-2 lead and forcing the Aggies to burn an early timeout.

Bennett subbed in, however, and she scored the first six points in an 8-0 run that pulled the Aggies back within 11-10.

Tova Sabel, who leads UCD in scoring and is second in the Big West at 15.1 ppg, picked up her second foul with 6:43 still left in the first quarter and she sat on the bench for the remainder of the half before finishing with nine points.

The Anteaters eventually took a 16-15 lead into the second quarter. Shirel Nahum checked in for UCI and scored the first four points in a 7-0 run that was capped by a 3-pointer from Ines Gnahore that extended the lead to 25-20 with 2:19 left in the half.

The Aggies scored the final five points of the half to tie it up 25-25 at the break.

​ Orange County Register