Traveling with gun – visit to Mexico

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

avan47

Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2007
Messages
157
Location
Del Rio, TX
I spent this Christmas visiting family in Arizona, Nevada, and Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) Sonora Mexico. I drove almost 3000 miles over two weeks, and did not have my handgun with me because I knew I would be driving into Mexico. I have made this trip before under the same conditions, and plan to do so again in the future.

Does anyone know where I could store a gun in Why, AZ or Lukeville, AZ. I travel through both towns on my way into Mexico, and again on my way home. Both of these towns are on highway 85 south of Phoenix, AZ
 
Bury it in the desert in an ammo box with dessicant, write down the GPS coordinates, and take some snapshots of the location?:)
 
ArmedBear's suggestion is far superior to taking it with you across the border. Don't wind up like these guys<http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mexico/gun.htm>
 
Never ever take a firearm or a single round of ammo over the border, ever. Mexican authorities have even less of a sense of humor than our own AFTE. I suggest looking into a rental box in Nogales, AZ, or at whatever port you use, and only take that which you would be willing to lose.
 
A simple way is to rent a bank safe deposit box in one of those towns, and leave the gun in it. You might have to open an account with a few dollars, but that is easy. If you make the trip very often, just keep the box and use it when you want to. The only problem is arranging your travel so you get there when the bank is open.

If there are questions, you say you are considering moving to the area and want a place to store real estate information and the like.

Jim
 
WatongaJim said:
I wonder if you could locate and contact a FFL holder in the area.
Click to expand...
. . and why in the world would he want to do that?

All he'd be doing is
a) depriving himself of his pistol for the rest of his trip (Texans can't transfer pistols from dealers in Arizona)
b) depriving himself of multiple FFL fees and shipping charges to get his pistol shipped back to Texas so he could sign for it again from his local FFL dealer.
 
Even a single .22 empty case in your vehicle is VERY bad medicine if the Federales find it. Shooters, ALWAYS clean and check out your vehicle really good before driving across. Trust me, I grew up on the border and those Mexican cops are always looking for ways to supplement their meager salaries.
 
The cheapest option would be to stop at a pawn shop and pawn the gun. Redeem it when you return. The interest would be very little.
 
ArmedBear said:
Bury it in the desert in an ammo box with dessicant, write down the GPS coordinates, and take some snapshots of the location?
Click to expand...
This is not at all farfetched. The GPS and pictures would help prevent forgetting where you buried it. :uhoh:

I might suggest a bank safe deposit box, but is there even a bank in Why or Lukeville? It has been some time since I was in this area. Ajo - also along Hwy 85 - has more such services. I don't know what such a rental costs, but it would only be worth it if you travel the area fairly frequently, say once a month. You would also have to make your travel plans around the bank's hours when it is time to store or retrieve the gun.
 
The pawn shop idea is interesting, but you have to do the whole 4473 process plus background check, (check is only if you don't have an AZ CCW permit, which is Shall Issue, and easy to get for non residents. :) ), every time you redeem it. Banks may or may not have a sign up stating you cannot have firearms in your safe deposit box, check rules when asking. BTW, has anyone asked Customs is THEY have storage lockers? Can't hurt to ask.
 
Regarding pawning a gun, remember that the OP is not an Arizona resident, and therefore could not redeem the gun. Redeeming a pawned gun is an FFL transaction, subject to the laws regarding such, just like buying any handgun.

As far as it not being worth a safety deposit box just to stash a gun, well, it might not be such a bad idea to keep certain things other than guns permanently stashed in a remote town, separate from one's home. I have considered a safety deposit box in another state, near where I visit on occasion, and an international border crossing has nothing to do with it.
 
owlhoot said:
The cheapest option would be to stop at a pawn shop and pawn the gun. Redeem it when you return. The interest would be very little.
Click to expand...
armoredman said:
The pawn shop idea is interesting, but you have to do the whole 4473 process plus background check, (check is only if you don't have an AZ CCW permit, which is Shall Issue, and easy to get for non residents. :) ), every time you redeem it. Banks may or may not have a sign up stating you cannot have firearms in your safe deposit box, check rules when asking. BTW, has anyone asked Customs is THEY have storage lockers? Can't hurt to ask.
Click to expand...

You both missed post #8?

It doesn't matter if he's got an AZ non-resident permit or not, he's not an Arizona resident and can't transfer handguns there.
If he gives his pistol to any Arizona based FFL holder, he'll have to have them ship it back to his FFL in Texas to get it back.
 
Safe deposit box rentals may be a lot cheaper than you think. I can get one big enough for a pistol and box of ammo at any number of places for $45 per year.
 
take it to a gunshop/gunsmith... pay him the $20-ish bucks for a detailed cleaning and go over... he'll give you a claim ticket... let him know it will be a bit before you can pick it up NO paperwork to get it back as long as you're the one picking it up... cheaper than a safe deposit box... more secure than a bus station locker... doesn't matter what state your in, so long as it isn't NY, IL, etc...

repairs go in a different bound book at the ffl... same reason you can ship to a FFL direct and have him mail it back to you without paperwork...
 
Does anyone know where I could store a gun in Why, AZ or Lukeville, AZ.

I use to work in that area in the late 70s and the last time I was in the area was about 10 years ago but I can almost guarantee there is no place to store a gun in Why or Lukeville.

Bury it in the desert in an ammo box with dessicant, write down the GPS coordinates, and take some snapshots of the location?

This is not a good idea as it may be found by alien or drug smugglers or the Border Patrol.

take it to a gunshop/gunsmith... pay him the $20-ish bucks for a detailed cleaning and go over

Outside of a safe deposit box (Ajo is closest) this seems to be the best idea but that would have to be a gunsmith in Tucson.
 
Why would you want to give a dime to go to Mexico? I have traveled to pretty non permissive states in the USA to see family and did not enjoy the loss of my freedom, Mexico no matter how warm is not a place for me or my loved ones.
If you must go do the safety deposit box.
 
I could just not bring myself to leave my gun behind when going into a place that is so full of crime it is spilling over the borders. This is why I will NEVER go to mexico.
 
. and why in the world would he want to do that?

All he'd be doing is
a) depriving himself of his pistol for the rest of his trip (Texans can't transfer pistols from dealers in Arizona)
b) depriving himself of multiple FFL fees and shipping charges to get his pistol shipped back to Texas so he could sign for it again from his local FFL dealer.
Click to expand...


nalioth - I wasn't suggesting doing a transfer of ownership, only suggesting contacting a knowledgable contact in the area for some advice on traveling across the border and back in that location. I guess they should just contact you since you are so full of knowledge.

Regards,
Jim
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
  • Locked
Customs officer fatally shoots motorist at border
2
Replies
29
Views
2K
Bob Locke
B
Z
  • Locked
Travel with CCW
Replies
4
Views
438
wdlsguy
W
G
  • Locked
State Dept has issued a travel warning for Mexico
2
Replies
28
Views
894
brucey44
B
C
  • Locked
Traveling to Las Vegas ? is my Mi.CPL any good
Replies
2
Views
499
smalls
S
D
  • Locked
Mexican bloodbath raises fears in U.S.
Replies
16
Views
903
Waitone
W
Back
Top