How to Legally Bring Firearms from the US into Mexico for Hunting

 

If you ever read the chapter on prohibited weapons in Mexico’s Federal Penal Code, you’d swear it was impossible to bring firearms across the US-Mexico border under any circumstances. Yet there’s one circumstance in which Americans are allowed to bring their guns into Mexico—and that’s for hunting!

Mexico is one of the world’s premier hunting destinations due to factors such as liberal game limits, a lack of hunting pressure, and a mild climate. Fortunately, the Mexican government has a clear procedure on how to apply for a permit so you can legally bring firearms from the US into Mexico for hunting.

If you’re curious to know what this procedure is, read on! Here are the threemain steps to take to legally bring firearms from the US into Mexico for hunting. 

1. Pick Your Guns

Mexican authorities only permit US-origin travelers to bring certain types of pistols, rifles, or shotguns into Mexico for hunting. Theoretically, you’re allowed to bring up to 10 firearms—but you’re unlikely to obtain a permit for that many guns if you’re going hunting!

It’s worth noting thatpistols in calibers of 0.380 or less are allowed except for the 0.357 Magnum and the 9mm Parabellum. Rifles chambered in 0.22, 0.223, and 0.32 caliber are banned. Moreover, you cannot bring shotguns bigger than 12 gauge. Rifles and shotguns exceeding these parameters are considered too dangerous to bring to Mexico.

2. Organize Ammunition

Once you’ve chosen the guns you want to bring, it’s time to organize ammunition. According to the Mexican Federal Law of Firearms and Explosives, you can bring the following number of rounds across the US-Mexico border with a permit:

· 0.22 Caliber: Up to 500 rounds

· Shotgun shells: Up to 1,000 shells

· Gunpowder: Up to 5kg or 100 bullets

· Up to 200 rounds for any other type of firearm

While there are legal ammunition stores in Mexico like Direccion de Comercializacion de Armamento y Municiones (DCAM) in Mexico City, there’s no guarantee you’ll find the exact type of ammunition you’re looking for at these stores. Therefore, we recommend obtaining a permit to bring in bullets with your guns.

3. Apply for a Permit

 

The last step to legally bringing hunting firearms from the US to Mexico is to obtain a permit. Hunting gun permits are available from Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense and take up to 15 working days to process. To apply, head to the nearest military base and submit an application with the following:

· A copy of your US passport

· A copy of your driver’s license

· Full name and date of birth

· Proof of having completed any military obligations in a timely and disciplined manner

· Contact details (mailing address, phone number, emails)

· The model, caliber, and serial numbers of your guns

· Proof of no criminal convictions involving firearms

· Proof of a drug-free lifestyle

Once you’ve submitted the above-mentioned documents, the Secretariat of National Defense will get back to you within 50 days of the date you apply for your permit.

Fabian Meneses and the Meneses Legal Team Defend Clients Charged with Bringing Prohibited Drugs Across the US-Mexico Border

If you forget to follow one of the steps we’ve discussed today, you may be arrested at the US-Mexico border. We pray that never happens, but in case it does, we recommend contacting Fabian Meneses at Meneses Legal immediately.

Fabian and his team of criminal defense lawyers in Tijuana defend clients charged with gun crimes such as bringing banned weapons into Mexico. They also defend clients charged with crimes, drugs,homicide, and contraband smuggling.They’re consistently praised for thehigh quality of their services and are well-versed in both Mexican and US law.

Ready to hire bilingual criminal defense attorneys to defend you in Mexican court? If so, reach out to Fabian Meneses at Meneses Legaltoday!