Mexico has fairly strict gun laws, which aggravate the legal situation of American citizens and tourists who do not live in Mexico, because the lack of a domicile or house in Mexico in most cases results in the imprisonment of these people who, for the most part, are not criminals, they are people who did not know that it was a crime to carry a weapon in Mexico, or they simply forgot to take the weapon out of their car.
MAIN POINTS TO CONSIDER
- Ownership Restrictions: Only Mexican citizens and legal residents who are over the age of 18 and have no criminal record are permitted to own firearms. This requirement helps to ensure that firearms are in the hands of responsible individuals who have undergone background checks.
The only authority legally empowered to issue a permit to carry weapons is the Secretary of National Defense, also known as the Mexican Army.
The fact of having permission to carry weapons in the United States is not valid to avoid legal problems in Mexico.
- Types of Firearms: Mexico’s gun laws limit the types of firearms that civilians are allowed to possess. Generally, handguns of .380 caliber or smaller and certain calibers of long guns (rifles and shotguns) are permitted for civilian ownership. Fully automatic firearms are prohibited for civilian possession.
It is important to mention that the carrying of weapons for the exclusive use of the Mexican army is considered a serious crime in Mexico and includes high prison sentences for those caught with a weapon like these.
Accused a relative of a crime in Mexico? Do you need to know if it is a crime to bring weapons into Mexico? Do you need to know if it is a crime to bring marijuana into Mexico? The prosecutor is accusing me of having committed a crime that I did not commit? Has your loved one been in jail in Mexico for years?
If you are in one of these situations, hire an online consultation.
Read this article by us to learn in detail about the penalties for carrying weapons in Mexico.
- Licenses and Permits: Individuals who wish to own firearms in Mexico must apply for a license from the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA). This process involves undergoing a thorough background check, including criminal history, and a psychological evaluation to assess the applicant’s mental fitness to own a firearm. Additionally, applicants are required to complete a firearms training course to ensure they understand how to safely handle and store firearms.
The legal requirements established by the weapons law to carry a weapon are the following:
A. Have an honest way of living;
B. Have complied, those obliged, with the
National Military service;
C. Not have a physical or mental impediment to
the handling of weapons;
D. Not having been convicted of a crime
committed with the use of weapons;
E. Do not consume drugs, intoxicants or
psychotropics, and
F. Accredit, at the discretion of the Secretariat of the
National Defense, the need to carry
weapons by:
a) The nature of your occupation or employment; either
b) The special circumstances of the place in
that lives, or
c) Any other justified reason
- Registration: Once a firearm license is obtained, the firearm must be registered with SEDENA. This registration process includes providing detailed information about the firearm, such as make, model, and serial number, as well as undergoing ballistic testing to ensure that the firearm has not been used in any criminal activity.
- Carrying Restrictions: Carrying firearms in public is strictly regulated in Mexico. Concealed carry permits are difficult to obtain and are generally restricted to certain professions, such as security personnel and law enforcement officers. Even individuals with concealed carry permits are subject to strict regulations regarding where and when they are allowed to carry firearms.
- Transportation: Firearms must be transported in a safe and secure manner. This typically means that firearms must be unloaded and stored in a locked container, separate from any ammunition. This helps to prevent accidental discharge and unauthorized access to firearms during transportation.
- Penalties: Violations of Mexico’s gun laws can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The severity of the penalties depends on the nature of the violation, but Mexico takes gun-related offenses seriously in order to deter illegal firearms trafficking and gun violence.
Overall, Mexico’s gun laws are designed to balance the rights of individuals to own firearms for self-defense and sport with the need to maintain public safety and reduce gun violence. By implementing strict regulations on the possession, ownership, and use of firearms, Mexico aims to prevent unauthorized access to firearms and reduce the incidence of gun-related crime.
The Mexican criminal process explained in English
