Mexico Gun Law Question

[Desert Scorpion]

Hi, well I have a weird question that no one may really know the answer to.
I frequently go to Southern Baja Mexico for vacation, mainly because it has so much to offer in terms of adventure. We usually 4X4 up many areas and focus mainly on good camping trips.
On thing that always bothers me, is the wildlife which is abundant and dangerous is some cases. It has got me thinking of bringing a gun with me next time, but I have learned that firearms are illegal in Mexico.
However! I have heard from some locals that (Muzzleloaders) are legal in Mexico because they are more directed to hunting; and if this is the case would a muzzleloader pistol {Cap & Ball Revolver} be legal to bring along into Mexico, Preferably a reproduction Colt 1860 Cap & Ball.
In the United States Cap & Ball revolvers are not even considered real firearms and can be ordered direct. So how does Mexico play into all this.

 

[rcmodel]

All I know is, I wouldn't be caught dead in Mexico with anything even remotely resembling a gun or ammunition. Black powder or not.

What sort of dangerous wildlife do they have besides snakes, scorpions, centipedes, chupicabras, drug smugglers, and corrupt cops?

rc

 

[LRS_Ranger]

I wouldn't be surprised if you can bring whatever you want so long as you have $$ to give to the cops if it came to that. From what I've heard they will inflate anything into an issue to get some cash from the rich americans... But that's just what I've heard, I have no first hand experience.

 

[StephenT]

Personally, I wouldn't risk it. Americans have been arrested for being caught with bullets at the border, not even guns. You don't want to get in trouble with the law in Mexico over a gun.

 

[aka108]

You don't want to take a firearm or even 1 22rf cartridge into Mexico. In some cases people from the US are permitted to bring certain firearms into the country for sporting purposes. Think I'd check with the Mexican Consulate in the US andfind out what is nesessary. No hear/say stuff. They love to find reason to toss a Gringo in the clink.

 

[Maj Dad]

Caveat armor

When I was stationed at Holloman AFB, NM, 85 miles north of El Paso 1998 to 2002, there were several people who took a wrong turn on I-10 and wound up in the one-way lane to Mexico. Thinking they would just do a U-turn past the checkpoint, they didn't worry. Unfortunately, the Mexican customs officers searched the vehicles, found either weapons or ammuntion and everyone was jailed. One guy was held for over a year before anything was done. Believe me, if ever I return to a Mexican border town, it will be on foot or by taxi. Otherwise, it's by aircraft.

 

[Enachos]

This can be pretty difficult to answer. But like rcmodel stated, any situation involving something even resembles a gun will probably not end good. I go to Mexico frequently and I've come to realize that the police there are pretty corrupt. And not in the sense that you can pay them off for anything you did wrong, but in the sense that they'll accept money for a bribe and jail you anyway. That doesn't apply to ALL mexican authorites though, lots of them are just honest citizens.

 

[Mike P.]

AFAIK that type of revolver is regulated in Mexico. If you can speak Spanish, there is a good firearms and hunting forum at http://www.mexicoarmado.com . I would imagine killing any wildlife is probably technically be against the law too.

 

[Desert Scorpion]

I am aware they are corrupt in some cases, I need someone to send me a link to an actuall law on paper translated. If I where to bring it I would have these papers for support in the event of a pull over. Many people here are saying things they just here, I have gone there many times and they do nothing but ask you questions, it is when you give an attitude or look a certain way that they give you the old search. When you have giant trailer quads and a bunch of firewood and camping stuff they leave you alone, because they know what your doing. When you go into mexico in a cheep car with only the cloths on your back and no real reason to be there they will mess with you and try to find out what you are doing.

 

[GRIZ22]

You can direct your question to the nearest Mexican Consulate or the Mexican Embassy in DC.

I agree with rcmodel I wouldn't take any firearm into Mexico unless I had all the paperwork required.

 

[JellyJar]

I don't have it now but many years ago there was an article in NRA's American Rifleman about a "rifle" that was only made and sold in Mexico. It was sold there as a pellet gun and was not regulated. This weapon used a .22 blank to propel a pellet instead of compressed gas like co2. IIRC the article that because the weapon did not used fixed ammunition it was not considered a firearm according to Mexican Federal Law.

Please contact a consulate or the embassy in DC and find out. It would be very interesting to learn.

 

[calaverasslim]

even 1 round of ammo can land you in deep doo-doo. DO NOT take a firearm or ammo across the border....nada, zip, zero. If you can survive in a mexican jail for an extended period of time, then by all means do it.

You've heard the expression, "Lock You Up and Throw Away the Key"? Thats what they do and there you sit.....

 

[Desert Scorpion]

Even though Article 10 of the Mexican Constitution declares the right to bear arms, it is currently illegal in Mexico for any civilian to own a fire arm of any caliber used, tested, or currently in use by the Mexican Government or Military.

This limits a citizen to legally own a .22 to .380 caliber handgun or similar firearm without a full-automatic firing system.

Ownership of any centerfire caliber designed for automatic or military rifles is forbidden.

I know for a fact the Mexican Military does not use Cap&Ball revovlers.

I have learned that even a 22 is legal, it is however a good idea to obtain a permit.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

^ Because those tough gun laws have made it impossible for bad guys in Mexico to get guns!

(Sarcasm)

 

[oneounceload]

Many folks head to Mexico for dove hunting - you can get a permit for the gun

 

[Cosmoline]

More people are getting gunned down in Mexico now than in Iraq. The authorities are more than usually touchy about this sort of thing, so your best bet is to make other vacation plans and stay the heck away from the place. Go someplace comparatively safe like Somalia or Yemen.

 

[double bogey]

I ran into some hunters in Acuna last year. They deer hunt north of Monterray. He said it was $500 for a permit each time he brought a rifle in. He brought a rifle and ammo in 5 years ago and leaves the rifle with the rancher. Takes the scope off each trip and takes it home. I can't remember which rifle he uses but it was a cheaper model. They have been hunting there for 25 years. Had pictures of pretty nice whitetails. The sign over the road at the border is a good deterrent.
"Firearms are illegal in Mexico. Penalty Prison"


Most of the people dove hunting there nowadays use the outfitters guns.