By looking at the numbers, more than 7000 Mexicans killed in 2008 due to drug violence; one would think that a U.S. ban on assault weapons would be logical. So many deaths across the border from our country, and if true, now is spilling on to our soil. Money and greed tied into the drug trade are driving a killing spree of immense proportions. So is Mexico's request realistic?

According to Mexico's Ambassador to the U.S. Arturo Sarukhan, there is a direct connection between the increase of assault weapons in Mexico and the United States lifting of the assault weapons ban in 2004. When appearing on CBS Face the Nation news program, he urged the Obama Administration to reinstate this ban due to the increased violence along the border.

The Ambassador went on to say that, many of the guns confiscated during drug raids are coming from the U.S. Citing two reasons for this belief are; the majority of guns traced are connected to firearms dealers in the United States and the amount of these dealers, approximately 7000, are located along the Arizona and Texas border.

President Obama, during his run for office made a campaign promise to reinstate the ban on assault weapons. Now, having successfully won the highest office in the land he has reconsidered. Personally, he may still believe this should happen but since taking office has learned that this would not be prudent move for his Democrat party. With many proposed changes coming in the near future, his administration cannot afford to be involved in a political firefight they could lose thus damaging the needed support for his programs.

Pro-gun Democrats and Republicans of both the House and Senate have asked their leadership not to pursue the reinstatement of the assault weapons ban. They believe the killings happening along the Mexican are not the result of the availability of guns in the U.S... When asked about the possibility of a ban, Senator John Barrasso from Wyoming said, The United States will not surrender our second amendment rights for Mexico's border problem.

Federal officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have stated that when making visits to the Mexican vaults holding seized guns, 90% of the guns traced are from the U.S. However it is important to note that only a tiny fraction of guns seized were ever traced.

Still the BATFE maintains that the majority of guns are not coming from other countries. Currently the United States is the easiest and cheapest place to purchase weapons and then move across the border.

But, is there another option to the assault weapons ban? Members of both parties believe there is a way. There is a need in our country to create new jobs during this down economy. By hiring more border agents to monitor southbound traffic, both vehicular and railroad will give a boost to the economy while slowing the flow of weapons.

No doubt, Mexico's request for the U.S. to ban assault weapons will continue to be a hot potato for the current administration. Political pressure will be maintained from members of Congress, those for and against the proposal. The National Rifle Association lobby will not give in on their efforts to oppose the ban. There is a good chance this will not be resolved until the next President takes office, or if then.

Learn more about this author, Mark G. Sullivan.
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