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Firearms in Mexico

United States citizens who accidentally carry a single firearm into Mexico may not face long jail terms. Instead they will:

• Have to give up the firearm to Mexican customs in exchange for a receipt.
• Get permission to continue the trip into Mexico.
• Return the receipt to Mexican customs when they leave the country.
• Pay a fine that, at the current exchange rate, could reach $800 US Dollars.

However, this exception does not apply if the weapon is one reserved for exclusive use by the Mexican military. Anyone caught carrying these firearms may be sentenced to 5 to 30 years in a Mexican prison.

Someone who is caught with multiple firearms not in the military category, or who commits a repeat offense with such weapons, also faces 3 to 10 years in prison.

At the very least it will cost lots of time (months or years in a Mexican jail) and thousands of US Dollars in lawyer fees to get out.

The best thing is not to take firearms into Mexico unless you are on a pre-arranged hunting excursion, are very familiar with the laws and have the right permits.

Prohibited firearms:

• All handguns above .38 caliber, including the .357 Magnum
• Long-barreled firearms of calibers .223, 7mm and 7.62mm
• Carbines of .30 caliber
• Automatic weapons
• Shotguns greater than 12-gauge or with a barrel shorter than 25 inches

This information is from The Arizona Daily Star, February 24, 1999. Neither the Star nor RimJournal is responsible for its accuracy.

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