Carrying in Mexico

[TuckerNielson]

My Father bought a nice villa in a gated community outside of Mazatlan Mexico. I just got back (went without my family) and the place is really nice, as in five star resort nice with the golf course etc. My concern is that my wife and children are going to tire of the resort atmosphere in a couple of days and are going to want to go into town. We couldn't be bigger targets down there. I'm 6' 2" and blond and my kids are all platinum blonds and blue eyes. Thanks to my wife's spending habits my children reek of "rich American stench" as one local called it. I would like to CC down there. I have a few questions:

How wise is this?
Is it even possible or legal?
How would I get my firearm down there?
Can I mail it?


Thanks for the advice.

Tucker

 

[blackrussian]

It would be 100% illegal.

 

[cavman]

My sister is in Mazatlan and there are a lot of Americans and Canadians there. While you may feel conspicuous, you will be not the only one. (She is also blonde and blue eyes)

oh yeah, don't even think of carrying.

 

[DenaliPark]

You will go to prison if you carry down in Mexico, Mexican prison! Frankly, I think you're nuts to take your children into a war zone(28,000 + and counting)for vacation. I don't care what a great deal it is, you are a target, all of you!

 

[sleepyone]

I have gone to the interior of Mexico once a year for the past four years on mission trips. We drive about 12 hours into Mexico from the Reynosa/McAllen crossing. We have yet to make it down there or back w/o going through multiple military and misc local or federal law enforcement checkpoints. Being pulled over and searched four times there and back is not uncommon. The military checkpoints are full of young soldiers with machine guns and light armored vehicles with mounted machine guns. I don't even want to think about what would happen to you, and your lovely wife and daughters, if you were found to have a gun on you at a checkpoint. I hate leaving my CCW at home as well when traveling in Mexico, but the costs far outweigh the benefits.

 

[TuckerNielson]

Thanks for the prompt responses. I didn't know if it was even legal - I do NOT want to go to Mexican Prison.

 

[Ron James]

Note, do not even carry one loose round on your person or in your car into Mexico. Do not transport any type of firearm. If you carry enough cash, couple of thousand dollars, you might be able to bribe you self clear, but then again, maybe not. Use to drop down into Mexico for a day trip quite often in the past, now no way in H-E double L

 

[nwilliams]

Do not under any circumstances be caught with ammo or guns in Mexico, it will end badly for you. Americans who travel to Mexico can go to prison for years for simply being in caught with a single round of ammo.

That said, there may be legal means of obtaining a permit through the Mexican government to own a firearm in Mexico however I can't imagine it would be easy to get.

 

[Diggers]

Handguns are not legal to own in Mexico.

Thats said I've known some weathy mexicans and they all owned illegal handguns. (you think the cops in the US are slow to respond? heh heh.)

However they are rich and Mexican and know who to throw some money at if any issues came up.

Americans don't have those options. Leave the gun at home.

 

[ants]

We cannot say that it's impossible.

Tens of thousands of Americans go hunting in Mexico every year and take their own rifles and shotguns. BUT they follow the prescribed documentation process (takes about 2 months) through the Mexican Consulate and carry the docs with them. They go straight to the hunting ranch, shoot, and go straight home. Others simply rent a rifle/shotgun locally. That's what we do.

The idea of carrying a weapon for defense? Yes, there is a prescribed documentation process for that too. Only certain weapons will be allowed (non military calibers) and expect to be hassled constantly. [I expect that you will have a thousand times more trouble with MX LEO than you will with banditos.] You'll have to do your own research on how to implement the documentation process. But for a simple vacation in a 5 star resort, I wouldn't even think of carrying. If you're not confident that the wife and kids can leave the resort, then DON'T LEAVE THE RESORT, my friend. It's Mexico, we don't own it.

 

[Colonel]

I expect that you will have a thousand times more trouble with MX LEO than you will with banditos.

How do you distinguish the former from the latter?

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

How do you distinguish the former from the latter?

You don't.

The only way I would ever go to Mexico, is if I was wearing my uniform and had a couple of thousand buddies with me wearing their uniforms as well, if you catch my drift.

The place is essentially a third world nation. Being next to the US does not in any way make it a civilized country. You have a pretty good chance of being hassled, robbed, or worse even without breaking any of their laws yourself. Doing something that illegal will just bring every corrupt cop or soldier around down on you. And I doubt you have enough hard currency to ensure your own survival, much less escape.

Would you take your family to Somalia? Yes, I equate Mexico to Somalia.

 

[Dean1818]

The true question is not whether you can carry.

I dont want to be rude, but......

I wouldnt take my children anywhere in Mexico.

Your question tells me that you dont know what going on down there

I have been to Mexico many times over the years and though it was
very poor, if you traveled in a group and stayed out during the day
you were fine.

The times have changed greatly.

The resorts are nice and I believe MOSTLY safe, but kiddinapping
is rampant accross the country. Go outside the gates and you
have a real opportunity to get your family hurt or killed.

Many of the cops are corrupt and regularly pull people (foriegners) over to
"ticket" them (BRIBE TIME)

When I visit Mexico, I see my clients, and go to the hotel.

I NEVER go out at night.

Its NOT safe.

I'm sure someone is going to say "I went there and I had no problems"

Understand you are a walking "ATM" to an impoverished, drug cartel driven nation.

Why risk it.

I go to Asia, Middle East, Africa (with the possible exception of Joburg), and Europe for business, and view Mexico as the most unsafe place I go by a long shot.

When it comes to Mexico my family stays home 100% of the time.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[bthest86]

Don't worry TuckerNielson. I been living in Mexico off and on for the past four years and indeed I've never had any problems with criminals or police.

That said there is absolutely no way you can legally carry a gun in Mexico. They won't even let American LEO working in Mexico carry and in some cases they won't even let their own police carry.

You can bring a shotgun/rifle for a hunting trip with prior permission but you won't be able to carry it in a manner where it will be useful for self-defense.

If you don't feel secure being in Mexico without a gun then I would just scrap the trip. Of course if you were to go you could always buy a gun off a Mexican once you get there but I wouldn't recommend it. Of course my wife's father keeps a lot of guns in the house and at his work place. I'm sure I could always barrow one from him if I felt it was absolutely necessary.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

According to Americans who work in Mexico, the local civilians they met often owned illegal guns because (a) kidnapping for ransom is big business in Mexico and (b) the police are often corrupt. Those were otherwise lawabiding Mexican business professionals.The idea appears to be it would be better to face a judge (and probably go to jail) or be able to prevent a kidnapping by being illegally armed (in which case neither the victim reports the attempted crime nor the kidnapper reports being threatened with a gun). Published accounts are available if you search for them.

Any Mexican (or his family) who looks well off enough to afford ransom is a target for kidnapping; whether a foreigner would be a tempting target or not depends on the kidnapper. That's not even thinking about simple armed robbery or mugging. I would not take the chance. Mexican prison is not a good choice for a foreign national; Mexican nationals do flaunt the strict gun laws of Mexico but not with impugnity: enforcement is harsh. Foreign nationals can expect no mercy for violating the Mexican gun laws. Tourists have been detained for forgetting about having "military ammunition" (for example .30-06 hunting ammo) in their vehicle from a stateside hunting trip (if you hunt or sports shoot, you should police your vehicle for anything firearms related before entering Mexico, excepting only if you have prior Mexican gov't approval to go hunting or sport shooting in Mexico).

Bottom line is as others have pointed out: don't carry for self defense in Mexico, it is not permitted.

 

[calaverasslim]

I guess there are areas in U.S. that don't get the news.

The problems in Mexico have been in the headlines for the last, say, 5 years?

And someone wants to take their family there?

After the state dept is warning it's employees not to take their children?

And they want to carry a weapon?

That must be a BIG hole in the sand....

 

[Old Shooter]

If you decide to go I would inspect my car very,very carefully for any loose rounds that may have slipped down between or under the seat, in glove box or console. Also around the edges of the trunk, in the spare tire well (remove the spare to be sure none are under it). Check any suitcase or travel bags you may have used on hunting trips for loose rounds also.

I have no personal experience (or interest) with travel in Mexico but I have read reports of Americans getting into piles of trouble for even a loose round of .22 rimfire found at one of the above mentioned checkpoint searches.

Also, be sure to take a deck of cards with you. If they let you keep them you can always play solitaire until the ransom is paid.

 

[JohnBT]

I like Mexico. I don't like what's been happening.

Isn't one of the big crime syndicates named for that area?

"Borderland Beat: 8 policemen die in Sinaloa ambushOct 7, 2010 ... From the first to the tenth of October 68 murders linked to organized crime have already been recorded in Sinaloa, which will make this ...
www.borderlandbeat.com/2010/10/8-policemen-die-in-sinaloa-ambush.html"

 

[esquare]

I've lived in several third world countries and I would not go to Mexico for vacation knowing what I know. It just wouldn't be very relaxing having to watch your stuff and worry all the time. As to carrying, I believe people actually can get permits in Mexico, but as a foreigner even if you were totally legal you would be hassled and fined and all sorts of other things. What many Americans fail to realize is that unlike our system of government that recognizes (for the most part) our natural rights, most countries don't, and most countries give no rights at all to foreigners. Don't believe me? Try to assert your right to free speech in most of Africa and enjoy the next several years in prison where you most likely will die - that is unless your relatives back home make a big enough case over it to force the state department to bribe you out of jail at $$$ cost to tax payers.

Even if you get assaulted by a Mexican and you manage to beat him silly and get away, be prepared for a long stay in MX jail. The best thing to do when you are there is to watch your surroundings, don't go out after normal hours, dress appropriately (no bling, no watch, no wallet in the back pocket, no cuff links, etc), be in a group, know the good, safer areas, learn Spanish, and make friends with locals you can trust (but never trust them).

 

[Old Fuff]

Mexican kidnappers sometimes send the victim's body parts (ears and fingers being the most popular) to speed up the payment of ransom. You want to take your wife and children into that kind of environment???

All of this is not restricted to Mexico either. Mexican kidnapers have made Phoenix, AZ this country's kidnap capital. The reason this isn't better known is because most of the victims are Mexicans, living in the United States for obvious reasons.

If your family does go, make absolutely sure they do not leave the resort, unless they are part of a very large group with local guides. That, and under no circumstances should they leave the group.

 

[Sky]

It is actually worse than most can comprehend. Two weeks ago the Gulf Mafia paid the normal bribe money to the Marine commandant. Evidently it was not enough or there were orders issued higher up the food chain so a raid was executed on the head local Mafia's location. 8 Marines died as a result I do not know if they popped any Mafia dudes for there were no bodies.

Military recruits finally got a weekend off and went into town to twist off and party. Zetas found out and killed all of them when their bus was ambushed.

Mafias actively recruit military personnel with large sums of money or relatives; the police are a joke and work for the Mafia as look outs and carriers.

Zetas head is Colombian but their head of security is an X Military special forces Mexican Major. He was recruited about 12 years ago with and offering of $10,000 a month to help organize their group.

If some group wants you or yours in Mexico unless you have the local boss on speed dial you are pretty much toast. Used to be they left Americans alone due to wanting the tourist dollars. Tourism has really dried up except for the big resorts which probably have there own deal with the parties involved.

My wife and kids go to Mexico every week but she is Mexican. I go every now and then if I want to go to a Doctor or have a car worked on. Was pulled over once by two black SUVs and six black suited police. Wife name dropped the Mayor along with his wife and kids name and told them we had done nothing wrong.... they actually wished us a nice day and left. It was just your typical Mexican shake down for money. She has many speed dials on her phone but the secret is knowing who to call.

Having a weapon in Mexico for us normal people will do noting for your protection for connections are everything.

Governor elect was killed on the highway and had 4 body guards with him.

Certain times of the month are more dangerous than other times it just depends on what Military/police operation is being done and what Mafia is trying to move into a new turf.

Good news most things happen after sunset. I totally agree with the prior post don't carry in Mexico.

 

[Quiet]

FYI...
Unless you are a citzen of Mexico, you can not legally own property in Mexico.
They get Americans to buy property in Mexico and tell them they "own" it, but it can still be taken back by Mexicans because it's not a legal ownership.

 

[CoRoMo]

They won't even let American LEO working in Mexico carry and in some cases they won't even let their own police carry.

Who's THEY?

The cartels who own the government.

I went to Mexico once. LOVED it. I wish it were safe enough to go back.

I swear I've heard that Mexico doesn't allow foreigners to own property there. So I wonder if the OP's family actually, technically, owns anything there. Anyway, like ants said...

...DON'T LEAVE THE RESORT...

 

[MisterMike]

The State Department currently characterizes Mazatlan as "relatively safe." It is not one of the areas that is being wracked by drug gang violence. As someone noted above, the State Department has required the families of consular officials in many border areas to leave the country. Apart from the border towns, the State Department website identifies some other specific areas of concern, but Mazatlan is not among them.

Frankly, I wouldn't be deterred in my plans to visit Mazatlan, but I would exercise the same sort of caution I would traveling to any foreign city: Stick to the tourist sites, limit your travel at night, and try to maintain a low profile. Don't go wandering . . . my observations over a few trips to Mexico are that very poor, very dicey areas of town are often quite close to the touristy areas. Tell (okay, ask) wifey to leave her expensive jewelry behind, and do not permit anyone to wear conspicuously expensive clothes. Maintain your alertness, and be prepared to make a hasty exit if you feel uncomfortable. Firearms are a no-no, for all the reasons mentioned above, but you should be able to travel with a flashlight that could be employed in self-defense.

You'll figure out pretty quickly, from your folks and other Gringos, if there are any shady areas to avoid. I'd opine that your biggest concern would be run-of-the-mill street crime, and not the hyperviolence that's occurring between drug gangs and the government.

 

[oldbanjo]

I've had very nerve racking experiences with Gov Passports in Spain, there is no way that I would take my Family to Mexico. My brother and his wife go to a resort in Cabo San Lucas every year, they say it's safe, I say their STUPID. They were supposed to have returned this past weekend, I can't get in touch with them and am waiting for a call. I carry a Gun on a chance that I may need it, I don't go to a place that I know I need a gun.