BajaNomad

How Foreigners can legally own a gun in MX

makana.gabriel - 9-11-2008 at 05:58 PM

THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE OF INTEREST TO SOME...
How can foreigners legally acquire a gun in Mexico? Print E-mail
Written by GR Staff
Saturday, 30 August 2008
Bringing a firearm into Mexico is an easy way to land yourself in jail.
Restrictions and laws for possession of firearms are strict and internationally-issued permits carry no legitimacy here. Which isn’t to say guns can’t be transported across the border legally – there is a daunting application procedure with Mexico’s federal investigative agency (AFI) – but it isn’t recommended for the average foreigner.

However, foreign residents with a valid FM2 (immigrant visa) are eligible to apply for a license to own a gun in Mexico through the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) and for a separate permit to purchase a revolver or pistol for self defense through Sedena, or a rifle (22 caliber or less) for sport.

Licenses are issued by representatives of Sedena’s Direccion de Commercializacion de Armas y Municiones, located on the nearest regional military base (such as Zapopan’s military base). Foreigners will be asked to produce originals and copies of their FM2, passport, proof of address, current criminal record issued by the state attorney general’s office (PGJEJ) and (depending on the permit) may be asked to provide a notarized birth certificate and most recent tax statement.

The fee for a license and purchase permit is dependent on the type and quantity of weapons requested.

The maximum number of weapons any individual can own is ten, of which nine can be rifles and one can be a handgun. No individual may purchase more than three guns in one year. There are also restrictions on the amount of bullets one can purchase for a weapon each year.

Once, issued, permits to purchase a weapon are valid for four months. A gun’s registration will remain in the purchaser’s name at Sedena and private sale or transfer of the gun is not permitted. Guns may be purchased at Sedena’s own sales outlets.

Sedena issues a separate permit authorizing the transport of firearms.

More information about firearms licensing and laws can be found (in Spanish) at www.sedena.gob.mx.

Hunting licenses and permits carry additional requirements but can be easier to obtain. Check back next with the Reporter next week for details for how to hunt legally in Mexico.

David K - 9-11-2008 at 06:04 PM

You posted this in the Baja Accomodations Review forum, in error... The Nomad Hunting and Fishing forum or General Baja Discussion might be better places for people to see this!

Thanks for the info.!

DENNIS - 9-11-2008 at 07:48 PM

I don't know, David. Maybe these guns are meant to accomodate the scum-bag that has chosen your house to violate or your life to threaten. Wouldn't that be nice.

Skip_Mac - 9-11-2008 at 09:01 PM

I have to say, I'm with David on this one. If I wanted a USA Second amendment lesson for the sovereign state of Mexico, I would have gone looking for it elsewhere. Meanwhile, I am getting totally disgusted by all this similar "stuff" I am inundated with by north of the border posts.

Fish, hike, surf, drink, enjoy, bike, ship, fish some more, make friends, explore, ORV... have fun. All good. Weapons...not so nice.

I deal with Bears up here. Some are furry, some even wear badges. Baja is where I want to leave that behind.

805gregg - 9-11-2008 at 09:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skip_Mac
I have to say, I'm with David on this one. If I wanted a USA Second amendment lesson for the sovereign state of Mexico, I would have gone looking for it elsewhere. Meanwhile, I am getting totally disgusted by all this similar "stuff" I am inundated with by north of the border posts.

Fish, hike, surf, drink, enjoy, bike, ship, fish some more, make friends, explore, ORV... have fun. All good. Weapons...not so nice.

I deal with Bears up here. Some are furry, some even wear badges. Baja is where I want to leave that behind.


You are wishing for a Baja of 40 years ago, things have changed, the bad guy's are armed and dangerous. They have more lethal guns than we can own in Ca. And when is the last time you heard about beheaded bodies where you live? I stayed at Don Eddies along time ago, and asked him if my surfboards were safe on my car, he said of course thats why I have a 9mm, I was glad. I think it's great to know that a person living in Mexicao can defend their family, their home and themselves. If I lived there I would welcome the news.

[Edited on 9-12-2008 by 805gregg]

David K - 9-12-2008 at 08:04 AM

I see that Doug has moved this thread to a better forum for the subject!

I think if we visitors could protect ourselves legally in Mexico when we travel there... then the criminals would avoid trying to harm us! Also, tourism would increase... Not being able to carry a gun in Mexico keeps a LOT of people from going into Mexico!

Why is it okay that the criminals have guns and not law abiding citizens?

Is it not true that places with the strictist gun control laws have the highest crime rates? What thug is going to rob a store or attack anyone if everyone else around him is armed?