BajaNomad

Mexican Gun Laws

Bomberro - 2-5-2007 at 10:37 AM

Gun caliber does make a difference! The largest handgun that can be legally registered in Mexico by a person for hunting or target shooting is 38 caliber, can be automatic or revolver, 357 is not allowed. Any shotgun caliber is ok, rifle calibers must be less than 30 caliber, strangely a 3006 is legal but a 3030 is not. Military weapons are all banned and also anything that shots a military round. To qualify to register a gun it takes the following, must be a Mexican or they let slide a FM-2 that is permanent, must show a drug test by a medical clinic, physical exam by a doctor, proof of no criminal charges via a Carta No Penalities, membership in a hunting/shooting club (takes 3 months of attending meetings and then must be voted in and then sworn in as a member), National Hunting License, proof of residence via a current utility bill. This is all presented to the General of the army in the State of residence, he then will issue a registration certificate, it must be with the weapon at all times.
To transport this weapon, one needs to show all of the above, fill out paper work be finger printed, and then must have in possession proof of why you are carrying the weapon, like hunting tag for game in season, or to target shoot, the shooting schedule of the meet and the original registration paper, and the original transportation permit, plus copies to give to the officer that asks for it. The General issues the transportation permit.
I know from personal experience that the General in Baja California Sur is very adamant about no Americans to EVER have a permit for a gun. He made me show copies of my Naturalization papers from Mexico City, copies of my Mexican Passport and copies of my Voting Card, even then it took about an extra 5 weeks to get the permit, God help the American Tourist that gets caught with a gun in Baja Sur! Knowing this General, and his attitude toward Americans and guns, money would not be an issue.

Cypress - 2-5-2007 at 12:11 PM

Bomberro, Don't have any personal experience to relate, but would advise any and all to take your advice.:bounce:

bravo

k1w1 - 2-5-2007 at 12:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bomberro
God help the American Tourist that gets caught with a gun in Baja Sur! Knowing this General, and his attitude toward Americans and guns, money would not be an issue.


excellent news!! cheers for that.

vgabndo - 2-5-2007 at 01:28 PM

A few years back I helped a Mexican guy who had been bucked off his mule and injured. He tried REALLY hard to catch a mule that was already on its way back to the barn. Why?

His 30-30 rifle was hanging out of the scabbard and he was really worried that the wrong people would see it.

.38 and .357

MrBillM - 2-5-2007 at 05:09 PM

Interesting since a .38 Special round and a .357 are the same diameter. Of course, the .357 packs a bigger powder load.

Interesting...

neilmac - 2-5-2007 at 05:42 PM

That a military caliber like .30/06 is OK, but .30/30 isn't - I don't think .30/30 was ever a military round.

"I know from personal experience that the General in Baja California Sur is very adamant about no Americans to EVER have a permit for a gun."

Aren't there a lot of gringos hunting in Baja? don't any of them take their own guns?

Neil

bancoduo - 2-5-2007 at 06:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
Interesting since a .38 Special round and a .357 are the same diameter. Of course, the .357 packs a bigger powder load.
Shanty Irish?:moon:

ncampion - 2-5-2007 at 09:11 PM

Regarding personal protection - a couple of questions? Are air powered guns allowed? also how about personal tasers?

30/30 Pistol Round

MrBillM - 2-6-2007 at 10:54 AM

An "oddity" in California back in the OLD days when you had to present ID and have it logged if you were purchasing Handgun AMMO was that the 30/30 round was designated as a pistol round. When I initially questioned that I found it was because it was offered in ONE pistol ONLY, The Single-Shot Thompson Contender Match Pistol.

This has nothing to do with Mexico's laws, but it's an interesting bit of trivia.

Cypress - 2-6-2007 at 02:13 PM

Don't even think about bringing a gun to Mexico.

leadmoto - 2-6-2007 at 03:56 PM

Lots of american hunters in Baja using there own guns. You pay a registration fee and get the proper hunting license/tag. Not a whole lot different then California.

One thing you must have is a guide with you while hunting.

bancoduo - 2-6-2007 at 03:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by leadmoto
Lots of american hunters in Baja using there own guns. You pay a registration fee and get the proper hunting license/tag. Not a whole lot different then California.

One thing you must have is a guide with you while hunting.
Take us through the steps?:?:

leadmoto - 2-6-2007 at 04:08 PM

I don't have the details. The fees are ~ $300. My Brother and several friend are down in Baja just about every weekend at this time of year hunting.

Bomberro - 2-7-2007 at 07:10 AM

Air rifles are permited in Baja. When hunting with a licensed game hunter, the guide can provide the paper work needed to fly in with a hunting gun. This revolves around his guide permits and the permit for the hunt from the Uma. He meets the hunter at the airport and sees that the gun in passed into mexico, the gun also has to leave Mexico after the hunt. Here is one link that has more info http://www.huntmexico.com/sheep.htm There is also Safari Hunters they can hook you up with a range of different game outfitters in Baja. We have heard a homber named Javier is the best for the Desert Bighorn, it does not come real cheap though, be prepaired to spend around 40,000 US, this does not include airfare etc. The hunt is not easy as these sheep like some pretty high places and can be hard to find....Good hunting!