BajaNomad - Taking a Gun into BC?

Taking a Gun into BC?

MH_Stevens - 10-28-2005 at 10:24 AM

I read in the Gringo Gazette that now Mexican gun laws have been somewhat relaxed there are no longer stiff penalties for Gringos caught smuggling guns into Baja California. The article says that if you just "forgot" that you had left your 45 Magnum in the trunk, the maximum penalty is a $1000 fine.

Has this induced anyone to have considered (just considered - no need to admit to a crime) bringing a personal protection piece into Baja California?

Mike S

Skeet/Loreto - 10-28-2005 at 10:46 AM

Stevens Sir!

Since you ask the Question I will Anwer:
Anyone is a Fool to bring a Gun into Baja Mexico.
With 35 yeas experience in Baja i have accumlated a Barrell of Experience about Guns in Baja{I have been caught with a 38 Pistol in my Truck}{I got away with taking and Hunting with a Shotgun}
Because of the change of Attitudes after 911 it is a Million times more Dangerous.

Just don't do it.

Skeet/Loreto

BS!

Don Jorge - 10-28-2005 at 10:59 AM

I agree. I just went through the process of applying for a gun permit to hunt in Mexcio. If the gringo gazette really printed that it is 1000 buck fine for a found handgun they are really, really full of crap!

Although for bringing guns into Mexcio to hunt you no longer need your local police letter of good citizenship you do need permits from the military, matching serial numbers on permits and guns, amount of ammo brought in, days you will be hunting and with what registered guide, and check in at Mexcian Customs border with all your paperwork ready before entering and when leaving and much more.

Cost you about 400 bucks for the paperwork to import legally hunting shotguns, 2 per person, into Mexcio. Handguns, forget it!

osoflojo - 10-28-2005 at 11:21 AM

I wholeheartedly agree with the last two postings. Besides I would not put much stock on what gets put in the G.G. It does not have a good reputation or track record.

capt. mike - 10-28-2005 at 12:22 PM

hey Don Jorge - when we gonna shoot us some brandts??!!

woody with a view - 10-28-2005 at 01:02 PM

yeah, since it's ONLY $1000, bring two!

The Wonderer - 10-28-2005 at 01:25 PM

Do the same rules apply to BB & pellet guns?

Skeet/Loreto - 10-28-2005 at 04:01 PM

I think that the legal Limit is 18 Calibar for all of Mexico.

An Air Pistol looks very similar to a real Weapon. if a Trigger happy Policman sees that weapon at the wrong time, he just may snuff you thinking it is a regular Weapon..

MH_Stevens - 10-28-2005 at 05:46 PM

The reference from which I quoted is:Gringo Gazette, Volume 4, Issue 75, October 20, 2005, page3 in an article by A.L.Capone titled "Mexico's Smoking Gun."

It says, "Mexican law imposes a 5-30 sentence for transporting firearms over the border. The law was relaxed in 1998 for first-time offenders who "unintentionally" carry a single small caliber firearm (not defined), fining them $1000 with no jail time."

It may be bad advice and a silly thing to do but to me this implies its not too risky to do as long as you stop once caught.

For the record I don't speak good Spanish and have no wish to talk my way out of this sort of situation so I don't think I'll be doing it. I may sneak my wife's 22 into her handbag and let her deal with it. Surely they will know she is genuinely an unintentional carrier?

Bruce R Leech - 10-28-2005 at 08:39 PM

don't believe anything you read in the gringo gazette. :no:

Dave - 10-28-2005 at 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MH_Stevens
Has this induced anyone to have considered (just considered - no need to admit to a crime) bringing a personal protection piece into Baja California?

Are you nuts?

Put it in your friends car. Have them bring it down.

(Actually, I would be more concerned with getting caught with ammo than an unloaded pistol.)

Any reloaders live down here?

comitan - 10-29-2005 at 06:56 AM

If you don't feel secure coming to the Baja without a gun, you shouldn't be coming here. IMHO

MH_Stevens - 10-29-2005 at 12:22 PM

While we are considering being stopped and searched by the federales, has anyone else been through the check point on 1 just north of Santo Tomas that is half manned by uniformed manikins? I so badly wanted to take a picture but just thought it might not be welcome. My wife and I laughed out loud the whole time the real soldiers were looking over our wagon.

Mike S

comitan - 10-29-2005 at 12:29 PM

Mike stevens, I don't usually come on this strong, But if you have an attitude wherein you don't respect the soldiers, Mexican people, you bring a gun you will get yourself killed. Your foregoing statements do not show respect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have happy day in the good ol USA.

[Edited on 10-29-2005 by comitan]

Comitan-----

Barry A. - 10-29-2005 at 02:25 PM

I have tremendous respect for both Mexicans and Americans--------what does that have to do with guns???????

I am armed where-ever I go in the USA, so yes, I am slightly uncomfortable when in Mexico without one. So what is the crime here???? and why should I stay away from Mexico????just because I am slightly uncomfortable????

I don't get it.

comitan - 10-29-2005 at 02:35 PM

Maybe I read something into the stevens thread that wasn't there. I'm not going to get into a discussion about guns that kill so easily, and so unforgiving.

Fair enough, Comi-----

Barry A. - 10-29-2005 at 03:15 PM

but my parting comment is that anything that "Kills" is far from "easy", and always horrible, especially when administered by bad folks against the defenseless, be it knives, clubs, fists, cars, etc. and yes, guns.------which happens.

turtleandtoad - 10-29-2005 at 03:22 PM

Didn't anyone else catch the name of the author of that GG article?

A.L. Capone! Writing about guns!! Give me a break!!!!

Also, the manikins MS is talking about are just that! Manikins in uniform, and they are about as convincing as the manikin cops some states use. I get a chuckle seeing them too.

comitan - 10-29-2005 at 03:23 PM

Barry

One more for me, I think it comes to decisions when it comes time to0 possibly use a gun you really may not have the time to make the correct decision. The police are trained to make the right decision,RIGHT???????????????

[Edited on 10-29-2005 by comitan]

Comi------that is a very good point----

Barry A. - 10-29-2005 at 03:50 PM

and I agree that a gun in the hands of untrained folks is bad news, in most cases. Having been in and out of law enforcement for some 35 years obviously taints my judgement, and opinions.

Mainly, I got rattled when you said that, "if uncomfortable without a firearm, you should stay out of Mexico", or something like that. I am uncomfortable, but I am not staying out of Mexico------I just "suck up" and deal with it, and respect their laws, but I am not a happy camper doing it, and yes, it does make me nervous.

David K - 10-29-2005 at 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MH_Stevens
While we are considering being stopped and searched by the federales, has anyone else been through the check point on 1 just north of Santo Tomas that is half manned by uniformed manikins? I so badly wanted to take a picture but just thought it might not be welcome. My wife and I laughed out loud the whole time the real soldiers were looking over our wagon.

Mike S

Yup, pretty funny!

Hard-core law enforcement manikins-------

Barry A. - 10-29-2005 at 04:12 PM

There is a tiny town in Arizona (can't remember exactly where) with a shiny police car sitting beside the highway as you enter town, with the most realistic "manikin" cop sitting behind the wheel you ever saw------they say that it is very effective-----and I can believe it-----I sure slowed down. :lol:

Only after stopping did we realize what was going on.

MH_Stevens - 10-29-2005 at 06:49 PM

Maybe I need to expand on my personal feelings in light of Comitan's sayings. Until a few years ago hand guns were rare amongst the average Mexican because they were severely restricted. Guns were carried by the feds or the major criminal, neither of which have a beef with us. Recently gun laws have been relaxed and as the Gringo Gazette said gun laws are not now being enforced which, again according to what I have read there and at other on-line sites, the average common thief or carjacker is now packing. This surely makes Mexico more dangerous for everyone, not just Gringos and personal protection needs to be evaluated in the light of this. I see no way that I have been disrespectful to anyone.

Mike S

Reeljob - 10-29-2005 at 06:51 PM

Yep, that's Boulder City. I remember when they went to move the car and the Maniquin had a 30-06 hole in his head. Right thru the Window. Maybe that's why they use a manequin.

Skeet/Loreto - 10-30-2005 at 08:22 AM

Barry A. I think you may be right about feeling uncomfortable, in TH, Mexicali, etc. I found that I was super cautious in the border Towns and stayed away from places like Cabo where all the Bad stuff happens.
If you are concerned while driving i would get a a good Dog{Black Lab] and always make a show of holding him when you come to the Military Stops, also keep him with you at any time you are on theBeach.
My say is that I will take Baja over south Cental anytime, and I have worked there as a Policemen{1960}.

Stevens: You are some what wrong when you indicated that Guns have been Rare in Mexico. Nearly every small village owner and Fisherman, and Rancher will have a 22 Cal. or 30 Cal Rifle. my experience from the 28th Parrell South.
I would not give much though to anything that is Published by the Gringo Gasette. Gun running is still going on every day!!!

Skeet/Loreto

Tucker - 10-30-2005 at 08:39 AM

To paraphrase one of my favorite sayings, ("If you don't believe in resurrection, you should be here at quitting time") " If you think there are no guns in Mexico, you should be here on New Year's eve".

comitan - 10-30-2005 at 08:47 AM

Steven

Suppose you bring a weapon to Baja and get caught.

1. You will go to jail

2. Your vehicle will be impounded.

3. Everything of any value in your vehicle will disapear.

4. You will then have to get a Lawyer to get you out jail & pay your $1,000 dollar fine. This lawyer will tell you this will take time $5,000 to 10,000 later you will be able to pay your fine and get out of jail.

Good luck security comes at a high price in Mexico.

MH_Stevens - 10-30-2005 at 10:16 AM

Comitan: I know you are right about the risks. The problem that I really wanted to bring to mind is that with the changes taking place with Mexican gun law, with it's gun laws moving towards the US's, the unarmed tourist or ex-pat is at a disadvantage that was not there previously.

Mike S

sschaneman - 10-30-2005 at 10:23 AM

Ok just another questions about guns. My husband is an avid collector of historical type weapons from all cultures, what is the policy of these type of collections?
Some of his more "expensive pistolas" he might want to take with him when we relocate, is this even possible? its not like they even fire anymore, they are for show or decortive value.
Can you own if you are getting a dual citizenship?

bajalou - 10-30-2005 at 10:26 AM

Haven't heard anything authorative regarding the Mexican gun laws changing. The GG is certainly not a credable source for me.

comitan - 10-30-2005 at 10:26 AM

Mike

You make your own decisions, i'm just trying to make you aware as to what you are dealing with. In the 23 years of Baja I've been in prison, it was my fault I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I've been sued, Had criminal charges filed against me all my fault, but I've had a lot of experience here in Mexico, even with a friend that got caught with a gun, he went to jail, a lawyer got him out, and stayed out as long as he made his monetary contributions, when he decided that he had paid enough, the lawyer called and told him get out of the country now. He did that and has never been back.

osoflojo - 11-1-2005 at 11:58 AM

At this point , not that any one cares but statistics just reported by the PGR (Mexican Attorney General) regarding Federal offenses investigated within each state and the country as a whole reflect the following extracts:
Baja California:
1/1/05 - 9/30/05, 1268 firearms/explosives cases investigated.
1/1/04 - 12/31/04, 1617 firearms/explosives cases investigated.

Baja California Sur:
1/1/05 - 9/30/05, 48 firearms/explosives cases investigated.
1/1/04 - 12/31/04, 57 firearms/explosives cases investigated.

The entire country:
1/1/05 - 9/30/05, 10692 firearms/explosives cases investigated.
1/1/04 - 12/31/04, 14,145 firearmsexplosives cases investigated.

In almost all instances firearms/explosives cases came in #2 or # 3 behing Drugs. These figures do not reflect any state cases.
Take it for what it's worth.

viabaja - 11-5-2005 at 01:55 PM

Things I've learned from the locals:

If you are popped with an unlicensed firearm (they aren't giving hunting permits for .45's, 9mm's, etc.)

Don't even bring a BB or pellet gun in

You will go to jail

You will spend X amount of years in jail

You will spend $1000's on an Mexican attorney that will drag out for years

Your family will spend $1000's to support you in jail (did you think prisons in Mexico are free?)

For the idiots who just have to have the damn things in their vehicles, leave them home. Better yet, stay home and stock up for Terminator 4.

All you need in Baja is:

Money
Learn to speak Spanish
A smile
A good attitude (you are a tourist in THEIR country - behave)
Fishing gear
and................. a cold Cerveza!

Pistol-Packin Gringos

MrBillM - 11-6-2005 at 02:24 PM

DON'T LEAVE YOUR WEAPONS AT HOME.

Sell them to me. I'm always in the market (at the right price) to add to my arsenal even if I need to add another Lockup for them. Like Sex and Cerveza, just can't get enough.

Speaking of weapons, I've been getting catalogs just recently from an outfit that sells mostly replica Edged Weapons and some of the offerings are not shippable to Calif, Mass, New York and Arknasas (strange, that last one). Anyway, in the latest issue I picked up there is ONE item that cannot be shipped to California ONLY. It is a Mace. One of those handles with three chains, each of which is attached to a spiked steel ball. It's interesting that the Socialist Peoples Republics of Mass and NY are OK with those, but not California.

No idea what the regulations in Mexico are for that one. It would be interesting to find out.

Free road North to Rosarito, near Popotla/Fox Studios

Gypsy Jan - 11-6-2005 at 03:10 PM

the military checkpoint has a new sign (it wasn't there last week, I think) that says, in Spanish, if a gun is found in your car during inspection, it is a mandatory two-to-seven years in prison.

Well, I guess its just like those commuter lanes signs that warn of fines. Paraphrasing the words of Clint Eastwood in the Dirty Harry film, you have to ask yourself, "Am I feeling lucky today?"

MH_Stevens - 11-6-2005 at 03:39 PM

Well I guess they must be reading this thread.

comitan - 11-6-2005 at 03:56 PM

Stevens

Do you realize how many gringo's come into Mexico every day without guns, I'm sure you read about all of the robberies, rapes, killling of gringos. I would be willing to bet that there is more crime commited in L.A. in one day than in the Baja in a year.

turtleandtoad - 11-6-2005 at 03:58 PM

MrBillM,

Are you volunteering to find out? :?:

Let us know how things go

Peace, Brothers

MrBillM - 11-6-2005 at 06:07 PM

I am a law-abiding resident of Mexico and would NEVER consider breaking such a serious law. My lawlessness is limited to vehicle speed.

When it comes to violent crime stats, I'm not so sure that TIJUANA would come out looking so much more peaceful (per-capita) than Los Angeles, much less all of Baja, but who knows ? I guess someone could look up the statistics. Good thing that Nuevo Laredo is not in Baja. If some eager beaver wants to do the statistical comparisons, be sure to filter out the suicide stats which are lumped in with violent crime data.

In the meantime, if any of you converted pacifists wish to sell off any firearms (North of the border, of course) feel free to let me know.

I note from a post just adjacent to this, that Rosarito is at times a dangerous place, too.

[Edited on 11-7-2005 by MrBillM]

capn.sharky - 11-6-2005 at 06:21 PM

WHY? Why would anyone want to bring a gun into Baja. If you shot someone--even in self defense you will probably go to jail. Are you guys that want to bring a gun to Baja ready to use it? When was the last time you got checked out at the range. What if you miss and hit an innocent person. What if the bad guys get ahold of it and use it on you. I have alot of handguns here in the safe in the U.S. But, I would never think of taking one to Baja. No offense, but do you guys like Humvees too? Why not join the Army or Marines and volunteer to go to Iraq. Skeet is right on again. Don't do it. Its not worth it.

MH_Stevens - 11-6-2005 at 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by capn.sharky
WHY? Why would anyone want to bring a gun into Baja. .

I have read all three pages of this thread and I have not found one person here who wants to bring a gun into BC. This was a thread about an article in the Gringo Gazette.

comitan - 11-6-2005 at 06:57 PM

Well if anyone wants to know how the members of this forum feel about bringing a gun into Baja, its covered. They just have to do a search.