US authorities to monitor weapon sales at Mexican border
The US government will aim to stem the illegal flow of guns into Mexico by monitoring the sale of powerful firearms along its south-west border.
As part of a new system announced this week, gun dealers will be required to contact the authorities when they sell more than two semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines to the same individual within a five-day period.
Due to affect gun sellers in the states of Texas, California, Arizona and New Mexico, the rule was first proposed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in December 2010.
It is hoped the law will make it more difficult for violent drug cartels in Mexico to access weapons.
In a statement, Deputy Attorney General James Cole said semi-automatic rifles are "highly sought after by dangerous drug trafficking organisations and frequently recovered at violent crime scenes near the south-west border".
According to figures released by the Mexican government in January, at least 34,000 people have died as a result of drug-related violence in the country since 2006.
