BajaNomad - jon hammar released today

jon hammar released today

willardguy - 12-21-2012 at 08:04 PM

I think they made their point.

Bajaboy - 12-21-2012 at 08:11 PM

Yipeeeeeee!

Ateo - 12-21-2012 at 08:18 PM

Good news.

About time & no help from US Gov!!

captkw - 12-21-2012 at 08:19 PM

Talk about screwing a us marine !!! I'm glad he is out after wht 4, 5 months chaind to the ....K&T

absinvestor - 12-22-2012 at 09:29 AM

I agree with Willardguy. If it wasn't for O'Reilly on the Factor he would probably not be home. Glad to see him released ie it does appear that he tried to do everything right!!

capt. mike - 12-22-2012 at 11:12 AM

bout time. Prez and Hillary were of no help and did not act TIMELY!!
i am sick of mexico corruption. my future support and travels there are off till they reform.

Pacifico - 12-22-2012 at 11:40 AM

Great news!!! :bounce:

LancairDriver - 12-22-2012 at 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by capt. mike
bout time. Prez and Hillary were of no help and did not act TIMELY!!
i am sick of mexico corruption. my future support and travels there are off till they reform.

Totally agree. It's a shame he had to sit in that cesspool since August. Notice the pictures of the old bolt action 410 shotgun the Mexicans released cut out showing the end of the barrel which they claimed was the issue because of length.
Similar deal recently with the ammo truck that the US driver who took a wrong turn and wound up in line on the border was told by CBP to turn around on the Mexican side and then was promptly arrested. The driver was finally turned loose after several months without any help even from Bill Reilly.
Never let a big Mordida opportunity go to waste.

WTH,,the US gov did Nothing !!!!

captkw - 12-22-2012 at 01:34 PM

Keep paying those Taxes !!

willardguy - 12-22-2012 at 02:01 PM

just to be clear, had it not been a collaboration between sen bill nelson,ros-lehtinen, heading the house committee on foreign affairs, the state dept,and the US ambassador to mexico, our gun toting surfing GIrine would still be chained up, not to his bed but to sancho's ankle.

[Edited on 12-22-2012 by willardguy]

[Edited on 12-22-2012 by willardguy]

Being Fair, Balanced and ...................

MrBillM - 12-22-2012 at 04:32 PM

Giving ALL the benefit of doubt:

The old Bolt-Action Shotgun Barrel "could" have been both Legal and Illegal. Minimum Barrel length in the U.S. is 16". What I've read says either 19" or 20" in Mexico.

SO, the U.S. officials "might" have assumed that the weapon could be declared and proper paperwork filled out as hunters (sort of) do, although I've read that they (the hunters) need to make arrangements and get authorization ahead of time. Depending on a U.S. official to know what he's talking about is akin to getting Expert Tax-Info from the IRS. Be prepared to go to jail.

No idea myself. Although there were times in younger days (early '90s and before) that I crossed with a weapon, legality was never in doubt. It was completely Illegal. And, on two occasions, I was REALLY lucky. The last bit of Luck broke the habit. Third time might not have been the charm.

The young (ex) Marine was unfamiliar with Mexico so he might have simply taken the interpretations of others at face-value.

Where the whole thing breaks down is at the point where the Mexicans decided to over-reach for whatever reason. Given their record, that was likely EXTORTION. Or maybe to stick a finger in Uncle Sam's eye and EXTORTION. When dealing with Mexican officialdom, EXTORTION is invariably a factor. To be fair (and balanced), they are equal-opportunity Extortionists. They're just as happy to Extort from the Mexican people. It's just that there is more Dinero to be found in Gringo's pockets. Like Willie Sutton said, he robbed where the money was.

In any case, when the "Bite" didn't work out, they threw a Hissy Fit and things went downhill. In the final analysis, they gave it up when it looked like it would cost them financially.

mojo_norte - 12-22-2012 at 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by willardguy
just to be clear, had it not been a collaboration between sen bill nelson,ros-lehtinen, heading the house committee on foreign affairs, the state dept,and the US ambassador to mexico, our gun toting surfing GIrine would still be chained up, not to his bed but to sancho's ankle.

[Edited on 12-22-2012 by willardguy]

[Edited on 12-22-2012 by willardguy]

Like
- PS - you're the funniest Lizard on Baja Nomad (at the moment)

Stickers

captkw - 12-22-2012 at 04:45 PM

I hope you spend the time to check a storey before you blindly post !! Thanks in advance!! the ex-marine did all he was told to do by the book !! Thats what I read...........What I dont get is that he was heading to costa rica for hunting ??? thats like saying I'm heading the LA (hellA) The Trees.....................K&T

mojo_norte - 12-22-2012 at 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by captkw
I hope you spend the time to check a storey before you blindly post !! Thanks in advance!! the ex-marine did all he was told to do by the book !! Thats what I read...........What I dont get is that he was heading to costa rica for hunting ??? thats like saying I'm heading the LA (hellA) The Trees.....................K&T

So I'm a bit unclear - he got the go ahead for the gun from the US but doesn't he have to file paper work with Mexico ? and did he do that or was he attempting to do that or did he just stuff it in his surfboard bag?

desertcpl - 12-22-2012 at 05:08 PM

well I will bet one thing,, we have one very happy mother

From what I have been following

captkw - 12-22-2012 at 05:18 PM

It's been stated that he did all by the book..But I would like to hear the storey from him (himself) ..looking forward to That !!........K&T :cool:

mojo_norte - 12-22-2012 at 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by desertcpl
well I will bet one thing,, we have one very happy mother

Like - this website needs a a 'Like' button

MexicoTed - 12-23-2012 at 09:25 AM

I'm really happy he was released, but unfortunately he made some mistakes that cost him. I actually spoke with the Mexico Tourism Board officials on the matter I was so upset. Trying to be a squeaky wheel.

The fact that his parents waited to late November to go public with everything baffles me. Public pressure and the pressure from local gov reps in FL and TX made the difference once they got in the media.

Also, the idea of taking any gun, even a family heirloom, to Mexico without doing your homework is ridiculous. Even his traveling companion asked him to leave it at the border (mail it home) and not cross with it when he saw the signs about no guns in Mexico. And you do need to get everything in order on the US side first to bring a gun to hunt in Mexico.

Plus, from what I understand he could have gotten 8 years in Guatemala and who know what in El Salvador, Honduras and Costa Rica.

In the end, it was tragic for a someone who protected this country. I just wish he would have looked into it before taking off.

David K - 12-23-2012 at 09:34 AM

Thank you Ted!

dtbushpilot - 12-23-2012 at 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by captkw
It's been stated that he did all by the book..But I would like to hear the storey from him (himself) ..looking forward to That !!........K&T :cool:

I'm glad he was released and he was lucky to have been arrested in MX rather than one of the central American countries.

It's been stated by the US MEDIA that he did everything by the book. Obviously, that wasn't the case. You must obtain a permit to bring a firearm into MX BEFORE crossing the border into Mexico with the gun. He didn't do his homework, maybe he misunderstood what they told him on the US side, maybe the Border Patrol officer he spoke with gave him bum information, we don't know.

The USBP, ICE, US Consulate, US State Dept. etc. do not speak for the MX government, they can't give you permission to do anything in MX.

Imagine for a minute that the roles were reversed: A Mexican citizen, former military, suffering from PTSD crosses the US border with an unregistered firearm........just sayin...

Floatflyer - 12-23-2012 at 11:04 AM

Mexicio Ted & dtbushpilot: X2

DENNIS - 12-23-2012 at 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MexicoTed
Plus, from what I understand he could have gotten 8 years in Guatemala

25% of the population of Guatamala is dead...25% are Guats and the remaining idiots are CIA. Everybody is armed.
Sr. Hammar was probably hoping to sign on for some Merc action.

willardguy - 12-23-2012 at 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by MexicoTed
Plus, from what I understand he could have gotten 8 years in Guatemala

25% of the population of Guatamala is dead...25% are Guats and the remaining idiots are CIA. Everybody is armed.
Sr. Hammar was probably hoping to sign on for some Merc action.

the car or the outboard?

DENNIS - 12-23-2012 at 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by willardguy

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by MexicoTed
Plus, from what I understand he could have gotten 8 years in Guatemala

25% of the population of Guatamala is dead...25% are Guats and the remaining idiots are CIA. Everybody is armed.
Sr. Hammar was probably hoping to sign on for some Merc action.

the car or the outboard?

Mercenary!!! You know waddImeen. :lol:

mtgoat666 - 12-23-2012 at 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by captkw
Talk about screwing a us marine !!! I'm glad he is out after wht 4, 5 months chaind to the ....K&T

he was a knucklehead to do what he did. sorry he had to sit in jail. maybe next time he will think ahead! there are many signs at border saying "no guns." and anyone planning to cross several borders on way to costa rica should be doing their homework and learning that guns for tourists typically are not allowed in any of those countries.

re the story that authorities told him it was ok,... not believable. he broke the law, and lawbreakers often spin a yarn to get out of jail.

p.s. still scratching my head, why does it matter if he was a marine? we should support our troops, but not when they are knuckleheads!

motoged - 12-23-2012 at 11:56 AM

Imagine for a moment what it might be like if you didn't think packing heat was an essential part of your life. :light:

I know this is a foreign or strange concept for some, and someone will throw out the "amendment rights" , etc argument....

But if you look around, a lot of folks don't really need or use their illegally imported ordinance in Baja ....they just talk like they do

I know this will upset a few Nomads....but someone has to say it. :saint:

DENNIS - 12-23-2012 at 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
he was a knucklehead to do what he did. sorry he had to sit in jail. maybe next time he will think ahead!

You are avoiding one salient point...the point that is so disturbing, that Mexico goes out of her way to treat the US as her ongoing enemy in spite of the benefits derived from our system and people. Sometimes I have the feeling that I'm living in Palistine.
Cases, such as this should be treated with cooperative sensitivity, not as border incursions with intent to disrupt society or commit harmful crimes. If the US took that stance, the border would be a awash in blood.
I know all of this animosity from Mexico was born and nurtured in history, but we should be moving on from that mindset, not keeping it alive as in a vindetta.
How long will Mexico keep blaming Americans of today for the sins of their ancestors only to keep their populace whipped into a frenzy of hatred for their northern neighbor rather than directing their rath toward the real cause of their problems.....their own government.?

David K - 12-23-2012 at 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by motoged
Imagine for a moment what it might be like if you didn't think packing heat was an essential part of your life. :light:

Sadly, Canadians have it easier in the world as they travel...

Nut-jobs don't pick on Canadians to be held hostage or assassinated, they pick out Americans. Being armed might have stemmed from the cowboy days of our past, but it still is seen as a need for survival by many Americans, and rightly so.

I have heard of American tourists who put a red maple leaf on their back pack or hats... just to keep from getting shot or kidnapped. Thank goodness your accent isn't too different than ours, eh? :light:

[Edited on 12-23-2012 by David K]

mtgoat666 - 12-23-2012 at 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
he was a knucklehead to do what he did. sorry he had to sit in jail. maybe next time he will think ahead!

perhaps you don't get it: gringos are smuggling guns into mexico to sell them to cartels. gringo appetite for drugs sustains the cartel violence. many gringo right wing nuts daily say horrible bigoted things about mexicans.

re subject of this thread, mexicans are not going to welcome you with open arms when you take a gun to mexico :light:

motoged - 12-23-2012 at 12:41 PM

David and NRA,
Have you ever wondered how/why the "Americans" attracted such attention? I find it despicable that "Americans" traveling abroad misrepresent themselves as Canadians....too bad their own flag sometimes attracts such sentiments abroad

It says something about one's country when you hide from being identified with it ...

It is so sad to think that you need a gun to survive....what a culture of fear that comes from.

I think it has a lot more to do with an attitude/consciousness developed beyond the influences of a John Wayne movie....

Read some history regarding the fall of the Roman empire....some scarey parallels going on.

Season's Greetings (aside from the mass shootings going on )...

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Sadly, Canadians have it easier in the world as they travel...

Nut-jobs don't pick on Canadians to be held hostage or assassinated, they pick out Americans. Being armed might have stemmed from the cowboy days of our past, but it still is seen as a need for survival by many Americans, and rightly so.

I have heard of American tourists who put a red maple leaf on their back pack or hats... just to keep from getting shot or kidnapped. Thank goodness your accent isn't too different than ours, eh? :light:

[Edited on 12-23-2012 by David K]

Floatflyer - 12-23-2012 at 12:55 PM

Anybody think that our Middle East policies, starting with the Shah,Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. and policing the world, has gained us as many friends as we had after WW11?

Just noted that with this post I reached the benchmark of 100 posts. Sad it had to be this topic

[Edited on 12-23-2012 by Floatflyer]

willardguy - 12-23-2012 at 12:56 PM

interesting. how do you think this would have played out with jon being a canadian :?:

motoged - 12-23-2012 at 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by willardguy
interesting. how do you think this would have played out with jon being a canadian :?:

Just another stupid guy with a gun at a border crossing :lol:

regardless of nationality.... :light:

DENNIS - 12-23-2012 at 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
perhaps you don't get it: gringos are smuggling guns into mexico to sell them to cartels.

Other than Eric Holder [is he a gringo?] give me a reference as to your claim. Just one.

Quote:

gringo appetite for drugs sustains the cartel violence.

A bloated supply of drugs from Mexico sustains the appetite.

Quote:

many gringo right wing nuts daily say horrible bigoted things about mexicans.

Well...shame on those naughty people. That isn't very nice...is it.

.

[Edited on 12-23-2012 by DENNIS]

Hook - 12-23-2012 at 01:50 PM

"It is so sad to think that you need a gun to survive....what a culture of fear that comes from."

Think of it more like insurance. Do you NEED insurance on your boat, your house or your car? Some might say no.

But it sure is nice to have it when you REALLY need it. You only live once.

Personally, I think the guy was a nitwit and I'd like to see the sources of the "US media" who claimed he "had done everything right" to cross with a gun. He obviously hadn't. Whomever told him he had is a bigger nitwit. Taking even a hunting gun into Mexico involves lots of red tape, importing agents, sponsorships, etc., in many cases.

A defense like "it was a family heirloom" and "he did everything right" sounds like the indignant fluff that Fox, O'Reilly and their ilk use to sensationalize their stories.

You know, get that "outrage factor" nice and high when the rest of the world doesnt think and act like America even in their own country. :rolleyes:

dtbushpilot - 12-23-2012 at 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by motoged
Imagine for a moment what it might be like if you didn't think packing heat was an essential part of your life. :light:

I know this will upset a few Nomads....but someone has to say it. :saint:

Not all of us have that macho, badass, imposing presence with that confident "don't mess with me" swagger that you possess ged...

It's no wonder that you have never felt the need to "pack heat".....

[Edited on 12-23-2012 by dtbushpilot]

Doing the Homework

MrBillM - 12-23-2012 at 03:42 PM

Aside from the fact that it's interesting that those who often whine about people running afoul of laws they were unaware of seem to be quick to jump on the (ex) Marine's behind, it might be worth noting that other Americans constantly get hung up by the Canuckians for bringing weapons along that they thought were supposedly legal.

The difference, of course, is that the Canucks (odd as they are) actually have a legal system (based on English Law) that isn't (for the most part) corrupt and the penalties suffered by the ignorant Gringos are usually minor.

LancairDriver - 12-23-2012 at 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dtbushpilot

Quote:

Originally posted by motoged
Imagine for a moment what it might be like if you didn't think packing heat was an essential part of your life. :light:

I know this will upset a few Nomads....but someone has to say it. :saint:

Not all of us have that macho, badass, imposing presence with that confident "don't mess with me" swagger that you possess ged...

It's no wonder that you have never felt the need to "pack heat".....

[Edited on 12-23-2012 by dtbushpilot]

"God created man, but Samuel Colt made them equal" :lol:

Maybe this hundred plus year old saying has something to do with the gun toting today. Been proven valid thousands of times since.

Deterrence, Defense and Discretion

MrBillM - 12-23-2012 at 04:36 PM

Having a LONG history of packing North and South of the border, the key is knowing when to take that Last Resort.

Is, literally, when it's the Best (Bad) Choice left.

Especially in Mex, where your ONLY recourse would be to make sure that you Killed everybody who could be a threat.

And, then make tracks as far away as possible and dispose of the gun (where it won't be found) as quick as possible along with discarding any clothing that might have GSR and scrubbing down well with a good solvent. Gasoline works.

Keeping in mind what would be necessary in the last resort and acting with the necessary prudence that dictates, you should be OK.

Maybe.

There's always that random (thorough) search which almost ended life as I knew it.

motoged - 12-23-2012 at 06:23 PM

Mr. Bill,
Damn !!!! For once I agree with you (odd as I am :saint:

)

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
Aside from the fact that it's interesting that those who often whine about people running afoul of laws they were unaware of seem to be quick to jump on the (ex) Marine's behind, it might be worth noting that other Americans constantly get hung up by the Canuckians for bringing weapons along that they thought were supposedly legal.

The difference, of course, is that the Canucks (odd as they are) actually have a legal system (based on English Law) that isn't (for the most part) corrupt and the penalties suffered by the ignorant Gringos are usually minor.

[Edited on 12-24-2012 by motoged]

motoged - 12-23-2012 at 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dtbushpilot

Not all of us have that macho, badass, imposing presence with that confident "don't mess with me" swagger that you possess ged...

It's no wonder that you have never felt the need to "pack heat".....

[Edited on 12-23-2012 by dtbushpilot]

David,
It's not only that DFWM look....they are afraid I will sit on them or bore them to death with my stories.... :lol:

Or.... I can call up my buddy who is always ready to bust a few caps...

"Hello..... Ged? Yeah, I can make it right over with my 45....I just have to take Cacahuete to the salon first....give me an hour or so...."

Barry A. - 12-23-2012 at 07:06 PM

Wow, where is that picture taken of the beautiful canyon with water running down it???

Barry

motoged - 12-23-2012 at 07:26 PM

Barry,
That "canyon" is on the eastern peninsula on Bahia Concepcion....it is a dammed-up stream that DT and I enjoyed on a motorcycle trip a few years ago....check out some more pics and story at:

Scroll down this page to "Day Three" and onwards:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=666961&page=4

Unless you want to read the whole Ride Report:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=666961

A hint:

With my pistol-packin' buddy....