"How is that going for them" — 60 Minutes criticized by netizens after claiming there is only one gun store in Mexico located in a military base

On December 23, 2024, the news program 60 Minutes' X page posted a video claiming that there is only one gun store in Mexico. The tweet mentioned:

"It’s located on a heavily guarded military base in Mexico City. Before customers can enter, they must show proof of passing psychological tests, drug screenings, and extensive background checks."

The video mentioned that like the U.S., the constitution of Mexico allows citizens to bear arms, but that right comes with a "long list of restrictions" unlike the U.S. The news program, which airs on CBS, reported that the gun store sells about a thousand guns a month including shotguns, small caliber rifles, and handguns. The news piece added that civilians cannot buy weapons that the cartels prefer as they are not sold legally anywhere in Mexico.

Internet users were quick to react to 60 Minutes' claims and took to X to express their opinions. Making a sarcastic remark about Mexico having a single gun store, an X user tweeted:

"How is that going for them"

"Translation --- our story is ridiculous because all the bad people have no problem getting guns in Mexico." an X user commented

"I guess that explains why no one is ever killed by guns in Mexico." another X user mentioned

"You guys are such a joke" an internet user stated

"Cartels control the gun-free zone of northern Mexico. 60 Minutes has the journalistic integrity of a pile of dung." another internet user said

Additionally, netizens alleged that 60 Minutes didn't present the facts of their claim correctly and called the news program out for the same:

"Yes, the one gun store in Mexico is working! It is very safe there, even at the resorts and tourist hot spots. Keep up the good work @60Minutes lol" a netizen tweeted, attaching screenshots of gun-related crimes in Mexico

"Over 40 political candidates were assassinated in Mexico’s last election cycle. Try being honest." another netizen said

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"If they care about journalistic integrity, they would conduct an investigation": Ex-CBS journalist comments on 60 Minutes' Kamala Harris editing scandal

According to a report by The New York Post dated October 10, 2024, ex-CBS News staffers demanded an independent investigation into 60 Minutes over the Kamala Harris interview editing scandal. The publication mentioned that the news show became the target of a scandal after reportedly cleaning up Kamala Harris' answer to a question by Bill Whitaker about Israel on October 7, 2024.

It was claimed that Harris' response to Whitaker's question was poles apart from the answer that she gave in a clip used to promote the interview by "Face the Nation" on October 6, 2024. The two versions of Kamala Harris' 60 Minutes interview went viral on social media, fueling speculations that CBS had altered Harris' footage.

In addition to the public, media insiders, critics, and Donald Trump question the ethical standards of 60 Minutes and CBS. Commenting on the same, a former CBS News journalist told The Post:

“I think there should be an outside investigation. Obviously, there’s a problem here. If they care about journalistic integrity, they would conduct an investigation or release the full transcript.”

Calling the allegations false, CBS issued a statement on October 20, 2024, wherein the television and radio broadcaster mentioned that the news program gave an excerpt of Harris' interview to Face the Nation. CBS said that Face the Nation used a lengthier section on Harris' answer than the one used by 60 Minutes.

In its statement, CBS said:

Same question. Same answer. But a different portion of the response. When we edit any interview, whether a politician, an athlete, or movie star, we strive to be clear, accurate and on point. The portion of her answer on 60 Minutes was more succinct, which allows time for other subjects in a wide ranging 21-minute-long segment."

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In other news, on December 22, 2024, CBS aired an episode concerning the crisis at the border between Mexico and America, about American guns. The news program reported that approximately 200,000 to half a million U.S firearms are smuggled into Mexico every year as a part of the "iron river".