Firearms regulation – Mexican Routes

Firearms regulation in Mexico

admin — Sat, 26 Nov 2022 02:29:42 +0000

The Mexican Constitution states that the citizens of Mexico have the right to keep a weapon at home for security and self-defense, except in cases specified by the Federal Law against firearms and explosives.

The Federal Law defines the cases, conditions, requirements, and places in which Mexicans have the right to own weapons.

The action of the law does not apply to citizens of Mexico only. Permanent residents of Mexico also have the right to obtain a permit to own firearms, but to get a permit without being a Mexican citizen is difficult.

For temporary residents of Mexico, the law is not very clear, but most likely the same rules are applied as rules for permanent residents. In order to legally own firearms in Mexico, it is necessary to realize certain requirements.

Tourists can only obtain a permit to temporarily import firearms into Mexico (bring firearms with them) if they have a confirmed invitation from a hunting or shooting club in Mexico (for example, to a competition event).

The following documents must be presented:

Identity Card (original and copy) and Resident Card (only for residents)
For men – a National Card of release from the military service
A certified copy of the birth certificate
Electricity bill as confirmation of your address of residence in Mexico
CURP (equivalent identification code or social insurance number)

The applicant must provide a “Letter of Honesty Living” (“Modo Honesto de Vivir”) signed by the employer. If the applicant is an individual entrepreneur, such a letter must be signed by the president of the municipality.

The applicant must provide the original document if there is no criminal case.
The applicant must provide evidence of no drug and psychoactive substance addiction.

Explain the necessity of firearms owning

The law specifies that the applicant must justify the need to carry firearms due to the nature of his activities or due to special circumstances of the place of residence. Or other solid reasons to justify such a need.

After consideration of all the documents in the Ministries of the National Economy of Mexico, within 50 days, make a decision on the issuance or refusal to issue a license to the government.

The standard license allows the possession and use of weapons for self-defense only and just within the home area. This license does not give the right to carry a weapon freely.

In case you need the right to carry a firegun, you must obtain another license but must give a solid reason for such a need. Such type of licenses is not available to ordinary citizens.

For transportation of any kind of weapon, including hunting weapons or weapons for personal use, it is necessary to obtain a corresponding permit. The items must be disassembled and packaged properly.

If you want to get a license to own a gun, you need to submit confirmation of active membership in the hunting or shooting club. The document must have an expiration date for membership.

Firearms in Mexico: Permits and Information

Where to get a license and buy a weapon in Mexico

The license can be obtained from the Ministry of National Security (Sedena), in the Main Directorate of the Control for Firearms and Explosive Substances, located in Mexico City.

In Mexico, you can buy a weapon only in DCAM (Arms and Ammunition Marketing Department) which is located in Mexico City. After the purchase, you must register in the DCAM mobile application.

Number of permitted weapons

Weapon for home protection: 1 unit.
Weapon for (target) shooting: 10 units (a valid license of club membership is needed).
Weapon for collection: no restrictions subject to appropriate license.

Types and calibers of firearms are listed in each of the relevant articles of the Federal law for each type of license.

At the same time, collectors can own such types of weapons, which are prohibited from owning to ordinary Mexican citizens or members of hunting and (target) shooting clubs.

Type of firearms permitted

In regard to what type of firearms are permitted, the Federal Law of Firearms and Explosives states that Mexicans can keep or carry, under the terms and limitations established by this law, weapons of the following characteristics:

Semi-automatic handguns of caliber no greater than .380 (9mm Browning, 9mm Corto, 9mm Kurz, 9mm Short, and 9×17mm).

Left excepted are calibers .38 Super and .38 commander, and also calibers 9mm, such as Mauser, Luger, etc., as well as similar models of the same caliber of the excepted, from other brands.

Revolver gun of calibers no greater than .38 Special, left excepted is caliber .357 magnum.

Land tenure owners, common land owners, and farmworkers outside urban zones may keep and carry, upon registration, one weapon of those already mentioned, or a .22 caliber rifle, or a shotgun of any caliber.

Except those of a barrel length shorter than 25 inches (635mm) and of a caliber greater than 12 gauge (.729″ or 18.5 MM).

Hunting in Mexico: Rules and regulations

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 16:41:51 +0000

Stretching more than 4,000 km, Mexico is the 3rd largest country in North America. Mexico is famous for its diverse climate and landscape, and good infrastructure that allows quickly reaching the most remote areas of the country.

From Tijuana in the north to Cancun in the Caribbean, from the jungles of the Yucatan to the desert mountains of Sonora, Mexico is home to a variety of game species, many of which are highly sought after by trophy hunters.

Hunting in Mexico: rules and regulations

The Mexican government allows licensed sport hunting during the season, as regulated by the Secretariat of Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries. This is the Mexican Federal Agency that is responsible for regulating Mexico’s natural resources.

The Mexican Government allows licensed sport hunting in season, as regulated by SEMARNAP or the Secretariat of the Environment, Natural Resources, and Fisheries. This is the Federal Agency of Mexico that is responsible for the regulation of Mexico’s natural resources.

Hunting popularity is on the rise.

Because of the vastness of the unpopulated areas, liberal game limits, extended seasons, affordable rates, ample amounts of rainfall, the convergence of major northern flyways, non-existent hunting pressure, a mild winter climate, and an abundance of grains, Mexico is becoming one of the worlds most attractive hunting destinations.

Hunting is very popular in Northern and Western Mexico among Europeans and Mexicans alike and is gaining popularity with hunting groups from the States. European settlers brought their hunting traditions to Mexico five hundred years ago.

Consequently, hunting has played an important role in ranch life and in the psyche of the Mexican nation.

In Mexico, the hunting seasons run from February through May in the jungle and November through February in the mountainous central and northern zones. A wide array of trophy game animals, as well as birds, may be legally harvested in certain areas of Mexico.

Most hunting nowadays is done on private ranches, where the game is managed by professional gamekeepers and where guides follow age-old traditions of scientific game management.

The game is owned by the landowners, or by the government, in the case of national biosphere reserves, and the harvest quotas are set according to the principles of sound wildlife management.

Many of the native species of Mexico were over-hunted during the last century, but thankfully, most of these have now rebounded well, due to intensive, conservative management.

Mexico is now the preferred destination for desert bighorn sheep and huge desert mule deer, as well as the only place in North America where the elusive brocket deer can be hunted.

It also offers other unique species such as three subspecies of white-tailed deer, white-lipped peccary, ocellated turkey, and other jungle fowl. It is also a favored waterfowl and white-winged dove shooting venue.

Mexico also offers fantastic sport fishing on both the Pacific side and the Caribbean coast. In the warm waters of the Pacific and the Gulf of California, anglers test their gear and skill on marlin – black, blue, and striped, as well as sailfish and dorado (dolphin).

In primetime, June through August, it is often possible to land up to 35 fish per day, per boat. Experienced captains and huge numbers of pelagic game fish have made ports such as Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Zihuatanejo internationally famous.

On the Caribbean Coast, huge numbers of Atlantic sailfish congregate in the spring – through April through June, as well as other game fish such as wahoo and dorado making Illa Mujeres and Cozumel renowned destinations for sport fishermen.

Friendly Mexican hospitality and a mild, warm climate make Mexico the perfect place for a sporting holiday when winter grips the northern latitudes. Adequate time should be invested in contacting Tourist Bureau offices for names of recommended outfitters in the area.

3 tips when hunting in Mexico for the first time

If you don’t have experience with hunting, it’s important to come prepared. Hunting can be a fun experience, but can also be stressful or hazardous if you don’t take the proper precautions.

For your upcoming hunting trip to Mexico, follow these tips:

Figure out what you want to do

Before you pack your bags and prepare your gear, it’s important to determine what you want to do when you hunt.

Do you want to hunt deer? Or are you looking forward to hunting wild boars? Do some research on what kind of hunting is available in Mexico and compare your options. Once you know what you’re going to do, come up with a plan on how you’re going to do it!

Prepare your gears

The gear you’ll bring will depend on the kind of game you’re trying to hunt, but you’ll have to bring the following regardless of the kind of animal you’re planning on hunting:

Apparel or clothing: This includes your jacket, overalls or pants, and boots. Don’t forget to bring some rain gear as you can never predict the weather when you start to hunt.
Bows: You can use either a compound or recurve bow.
Guns and ammo
First-aid supplies: You should always have a first aid kid that has band-aids, ointments, and gauzes at the very least.
Food: Hunting can be very draining, so make sure to bring a lot of food. Dried fruits, trail mixes, and granola bars are some of your best options.

Get into the field

You’ll learn a lot of hunting tips from the internet but nothing comes close to firsthand experience. When hunting in Mexico for the first time, don’t be afraid to get into the field. The experience you’ll have—either good or bad—will you improve as a hunter in the long run.

In conclusion

Hunting in Mexico is a great experience that’s surely one for the books. This country has a lot to offer to aspiring and professional hunters – things that you can’t see and experience anywhere else in the world.

But before you hop on a plane or train to go to Mexico to hunt, take the time to do thorough research on what rules and regulations are you expected to follow. Having this knowledge is essential for you to ensure that your upcoming hunting trip in this country will not result in fines and penalties.

Where is permitted to hunt in Mexico?

North Western Region

State of Sinaloa, northeast, west, and northwest of El Fuerte, respectively, are Presa Huites, Presa Miguel Hidalgo, and Presa Josefa Ortiz de Domingues. This area is very popular for hunting Canada goose, various duck species (canvasback, mallard, pintail, redhead, teal, widgeon, and others), quail, and white-wing dove.

In the Culiacan vicinity, swarms of Geese, ducks, doves, quail, and blue pigeons are abundant in huge quantities. Local hunters welcome hunters to help keep the population down.

In the Mazatlan area, just due north, the Presa Comedero area is a popular hunting spot for a wide variety of games, including pintail ducks, gadwall, bluebill, brandt, widgeon, cinnamon teal, green-winged teal, bluewing, dove, quail, deer, and wild pig.

Many other areas in the Northwestern Region of Mexico offer tremendous opportunities for hunting Mexico.

North Eastern Region

The states of Coahuila and Nuevo Leon, bordering Southwest Texas, these two Mexican States are primarily noted for their huge White-Tail Deer. Several “book” deer are taken each season from specific areas of these states.

Primarily, in Nuevo Leon, the best area is located directly southwest of the city of Nuevo Laredo. This brush country is full of trophy white-tail deer of a lifetime, and plentiful “blue quail”.

In the State of Coahuila, the area that is prime for trophy white-tail deer is the area just northwest of Nuevo Laredo and north along the Rio Grande River, not more than 25 miles inland, until just north of the city of Piedras Negras.

Both of these areas are teeming with dove, quail, and deer.

The state of Tamaulipas, primarily known for its awesome wing shooting, this Mexican State, is a virtual “hunters’ paradise” when it comes to bird hunting. Millions of ducks and geese call the Laguna Madre area along with the Eastern Mexican coastline home, as well as millions of white-wing doves.

Because of the ample food, moderate winter temperatures, the convergence of major northern flyways, non-existent hunting pressure, and ample water, this area is teeming with hundreds of millions of birds.

The area surrounding the city of San Fernando, approx 100 miles south of Brownsville (Texas, USA) is the most popular area hunted for white-wing dove.

This line of hunting exists, surrounding San Fernando, and travels east towards the coast, bordering the cities of Soto la Marina, and Abasolo, and south towards Lake Guerrero.

Each year millions of these “flying knuckleballs”, migrate from South and Central America each summer to invade the grain fields of central Tamaulipas. Awesome wing shooting is best during late summer and early fall.

After the first cold snap, quail hunting is done mainly in January and February.

Laws and licenses

Several factors have led to the popularity of Mexico, as the next “Hunters Paradise” of North America.

NAFTA has allowed hunters in the United States greater awareness of the bountiful resources and opportunities available to them, on both sides of the border between the two countries.

By relaxing trade restrictions on the two countries, more business people are exposed to the opportunities available to them and this single fact has acted as a “Word of Mouth” magnet to hunters looking for better places to enjoy their sport.

Additionally, Mexican Federal Firearms laws have recently been relaxed regarding some infractions of the law, which were earlier punishable by mandatory prison terms.

Now, “common sense” Firearms laws, for the most part, are in place, to still protect the public and allow for the proper importation of firearms and ammunition required for sporting use. Common sense is still required for the proper importation of Firearms into Mexico.

Hunting Regulations, which include bag limits on both size and number, are enforced in Mexico, where possible.

For the most part, however, some birds, such as doves, are considered by most farmers, as field pests, and hunters are encouraged to shoot within liberal limits of birds.

1999 Mexican hunting season and bag limits apply to most Mexican states

White-Wing Dove: August 21 – October 18 – Daily Limits 40 / Possession 120
Mourning Dove: August 21 – December 8 – Daily Limits 40 / Possession 120
Ducks: October 23 – February 21 – Daily Limits 15 / Possession 45
Geese: October 23 – February 21 – Daily Limits 5 / Possession 15
Quail: October 30 – February 28 – Daily Limits 10 / Possession 30
White-Tail Deer: December 15 – January 15 – Limit 1 Buck Only for a season

Check with the authorities in the State in which you are hunting for the exact dates and bag limits for each species hunted.

A maximum of 2 rifles or shotguns per hunter is allowed, and guns may be accompanied by no more than 2 boxes of American shells per gun (50 shells per gun). With the proper hunting permit, additional shells may be purchased in Mexico through various licensed sporting goods dealers.

Only .22 caliber bullets and 12, 20, and .410-gauge shotgun cartridges are available. Cost is somewhat expensive, but when measured with the risk of going to prison for smuggling shotgun shells into Mexico to save a few lousy dollars, the cost is cheap.

Do’s & Don’ts

Do use common sense, remember you are in a foreign country, with its own set of laws. It’s not important if you think you are in the right or not. Remember, you are guilty till proven innocent in Mexico.

Do follow Mexican Laws.
Do carry your passport, hunting license, and gun permit at all times.
Do be patient and respect the Mexican people, they, in turn, will respect you.
Do double-check your car or truck for extra ammo or unlicensed weapons.
Do watch where you walk, rattlesnakes in Mexico are large enough to kill a person.
Do remember to check references.

Don’t even try to smuggle unlicensed guns or ammo into Mexico.
Don’t walk in high grass without snake leggings on and watch where you step.

SEMARNAP hunting permits come in six types:

Type I-Waterfowl
Type II-Doves
Type III-other birds
Type IV-mammals
Type V-limited
Type VI-special

Permits are issued from a Government Licensed Dealer in Mexico

In addition to the SEMARNAP hunting permit, foreign hunters need a consulate certificate, special visa, and military gun permit.

The consulate certificate may be obtained from any Mexican embassy or consulate upon presentation of a letter from the hunter’s local police or sheriff’s office (on original police letterhead) verifying that the hunter has no criminal record.

This certificate is also necessary for obtaining military gun permits, which are issued by the army garrison in the major border town in the Mexican State in which you are going to hunt.

Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required. This document must have your picture on it (i.e. Passport) if not, your voter’s registration card accompanied by a photocopy of your driver’s license will suffice.

Additionally, 8 passport-size pictures are usually required with each gun permit and hunting license issued and the final number of pictures depends on the state you are hunting.

Finally, a new regulation requires that all foreign hunters be accompanied by a licensed Mexican hunting guide. Your Hunting License agent can advise you on this requirement. The hunting License Cost is approx. $450 and includes a Gun Permit.

The whole process of obtaining, your own, required permits and licenses is very time-consuming, frustrating, and discouraging for the average U.S. hunter. Even if you speak perfect Spanish, you are better off arranging the license and permits through a U.S. broker or a licensed Mexican Outfitter, who specializes in the State that you are hunting.

This assures you that a qualified agent is looking out for your interest and that the job will be done in a manner that is acceptable to the State Agency for which you are hunting. A list of Licensed Outfitters can be requested from any Mexican Consulate in the State you will hunt.

The last and most important piece of advice is to check out the references for the people that you plan to use. Use “common sense” questions when interviewing past clients of the lodge or outfit.

Don’t take anything for granted, ask the most basic questions you can think of.