jackstinson, what you said is very true. the federales will harass any white folk in mexico for any reason they can find for money. this sounds ridiculous, and it is, but my cousin who lives in san diego was visiting and he kissed his girlfriend at the bar, after which, two federales claimed he broke a law and that he needed to pay them money or go to jail. these requests were made at gunpoint, mind you. thus, if i was just visiting for a day or so, i might just opt for the knife simply because of the potential problems carrying a gun could generate.