The Supreme Court on Tuesday appears likely to block a lawsuit brought by Mexico against U.S. gun manufacturers, alleging they have fueled cartel gun violence.

Liberal and conservative justices on the nine-member bench appeared skeptical that the claims could clear hurdles in U.S. law that largely shield gun makers from lawsuits when their products are used in crime, according to The Associated Press.

The Mexican government filed the lawsuit against such top U.S. gun manufacturers as Beretta, Colt, Glock and Smith & Wesson – alleging that they have fueled cartel gun violence.

While Mexico has strict gun laws, lots of guns are smuggled by the cartels on a yearly basis.

Conservative-leaning Justice Brett Kavanaugh raised concerns about the plaintiff's argument that products can be misused and result in lawsuits could harm the U.S. economy.

“That’s a real concern, I think, for me, about accepting your theory,” he said.

Justice Samuel Alito, another conservative-leaning justice in a court, which has a 5-4 conservative majority, countered the Mexican government's argument by asking if the U.S. could sue Mexico over “illegal conduct."