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Weapon Permits

References: The Bloodstained Trafficking in Guns from the US to Mexico, Poll: Canadians do not Believe their Foreign Service would Help if Arrested Abroad,  AMERICANS Arrested abroad: a rare glimpse of trips gone wrong, BRITISH Nationals Arrested Abroad, Car full of weapons lands US soldier in Mexican jail & US says it nabs gunrunner arming Mexico drug gangs

Extract from the U. S. State Department Travel Warning: "In its effort to combat violence, the government of Mexico has deployed military troops in various parts of the country.  U.S. citizens are urged to cooperate with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways."

We have received many requests from our readers to address the issue of weapon permits in our Security Corner. A specific email came to our attention, originating from Puerto Vallarta. The person in concern had heard about the kidnapping of a local resident and the successful, safe release (at gunpoint) by privately hired investigators of the victim’s family. He wanted to know what the law in Mexico is regarding firearms possession and my opinion on this delicate issue. First, I’d like to inform our readers that while I worked for the American Embassy Regional Security Office I was authorized, through a collective license, by the National Defense Secretariat to carry USG firearms. This license was issued by the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service in order to fulfill my obligations in protective assignments of dignitaries and high-risk VIPs visiting our area of responsibility (anywhere in the Mexican Republic). This weaponry included .357 magnum S&W, model 36, the .12 gauge Remington shotgun with a short barrel and the .9 mm UZI submachine gun.

Training

Every member of my office, including myself, had to re-qualify every 3 months at a firing range. Every year we had to pass a strict medical clearance that included not only 20/20 vision, random clinical blood and urine tests to detect drug use or alcohol abuse, and contagious diseases. We were required to subject ourselves to physical training, the Health Unit regularly had us under observation to make sure that our clinical tests reflected cholesterol, uric acid at acceptable levels. We partook every year, with no exception, in updated training, conducted by DSS agents that came in so called Mobile Training Teams from their headquarters in Washington, D. C. Their mission was to fine tune techniques in armored limousines security driving, receiving the latest information available on threats against the US Government, familiarity, detection of explosives, protective formations, breaking of ambush situations, advance requirements, first aid, automotive mechanics, etc. During my 28 year tenure at the Embassy, my office provided support to all law enforcement agencies requiring weapon permits, through our military contacts. In Mexico, unlike in the US and other countries, it is the National Defense Secretariat or SEDENA, the organization charged with responsibility over the issuance of weapon permits. On the other hand, I continue to this day, running 8 kilometers daily and participate with the Mexican Government in every training session they invite me to participate in, or if such is the case, to share my own experience with their police officers.

 Possession of Firearms at Home, Office

Officers who must regularly carry firearms are not automatically experienced to overcome an extreme condition. Adrenaline-pumping must counterbalance emotions, allow the shooter to perceive reality. Poor judgment may lead to lethal results. After years on the job, the lesson that one learns is NEVER to pull out a gun, unless you are ready to use it. Many policemen who have seen combat are no longer with us to tell what happened, went wrong. It’s is NOT the same to aim and shoot at a paper target than it is to shoot a real person who may have the same, if not more training, than the law enforcement person. One never uses a firearm to “scare” anybody, a situation that may backfire. Actually, a concealed weapon is only effective until that time when you must show a criminal you are determined to shoot him/her to defend your life or others’ in the best interest of society. If you asked me, I’d say, don’t bother buying a gun that your assailants may take away from your hands, if you do not know how to use it. The worse scenario would be if at your home or office- your kids, spouse or coworkers find it and are unaware of the mechanism and safe handling of these, and accidentally shoot themselves. You will live for the rest of your days with a huge sense of guilt that you can avoid easily. On top of this, regulations in Mexico that pertain to gun registrations are very strict.

The US Weapon Permits

In the United States, each individual State has its own laws, regulations that pertain to gun control and weapon permits. This is only one example: Arizona In summary, each State reserves its right to issue Weapon Permits to its citizens. Further, they have what they call Reciprocal Permits with other States signatory of laws that allow certain citizens to carry their weapons, locally, when they visit that region.

• Be a shall issue state

• Perform criminal history checks on all applicants

• Have standard disqualification, suspension & revocation requirements

• Have required training which covers the following

• Deadly force issues

• Weapons care/maintenance

• Safe handling/storage

• Marksmanship

• Have a minimum age issuance of 21

• Require applicants be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien

• Deny for mental illness

• Deny for misdemeanor domestic violence convictions

• Deny for felony convictions

• Have an expiration date on permit

The Mexican Law

On November 10, 2005 Mexico’s National Defense Secretariat, via Brigadier General Efrén Martínez Guzmán, Chief of Liaison at that time, in writing responded to a number of questions that Mario Gonzalez-Roman, author of this column had presented him with.

• Are foreigners allowed to carry firearms in Mexico, to include those working as members of private security details?

IN ACCORDANCE TO ARTICLE 27 OF THE CURRENT LAW INVOLVING POSSESSION OF FIREARMS, NO FOREIGNERS ARE AUTHORIZED TO CARRY FIREARMS IN THE MEXICAN REPUBLIC. THE ONLY EXCEPTION, AS ESTABLISHED IN ARTICLE 28, IS WHEN THESE HAVE PROVIDED DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE THAT PROVES THEY ARE LAWFUL IMMIGRANTS.

• Has the National Defense Secretariat authorized foreign security agents to carry firearms?

THIS SECRETARIAT HAS NOT AUTHORIZED ANY FOREIGN SECURITY AGENTS TO PROVIDE PRIVATE ESCORT SERVICES IN MEXICO.

• In the event of foreign VIP’s visiting Mexico, requiring protective services in Mexico, what companies have been authorized by the National Defense Secretariat to carry firearms, to protect their clients?

THERE IS NO COMPANY LEGALLY ESTABLISHED IN MEXICO AUTHORIZED BY THIS SECRETARIAT TO CARRY FIREARMS, IF ITS STAFF IS NON MEXICAN. FURTHER, THIS SECRETARIAT HAS NOT ISSUED PERMITS TO ANY PRIVATE SECURITY FIRMS AUTHORIZING THESE TO PROVIDE SECURITY FUNCTIONS TO ANYBODY (THIRD PARTIES).

• Is there an English translation of relevant parts of the current law pertaining to the issuance of weapon permits to foreign nationals?

Please do not risk your personal safety, or create the possibility of legal complications while conducting business or enjoying a pleasure trip to Mexico by contracting private companies that have foreign, other than Mexican, agents. Some of these hardly speak the language, ignore the daily challenges in Mexico City streets, familiarity with the local scene lack delegating responsibility to Mexican bodyguards who are ill trained and poorly paid. Visit above Site and learn the advantages of going through this officially recognized organization and I assure you that we will provide you the best possible professional service. Security Corner thanks the National Defense Secretary, for allowing us to share above information, through his former spokesperson, with our readers. We send our heartfelt congratulations to Mexico’s armed forces for their current struggle in the Drug War and permanent struggle to help the needy in areas of Mexico devastated by deadly hurricanes. 

End of Article

Security Corner is a monthly column, result of intensive research by Mr. Mario González-Román to serve as support to the International Community. In some cases, official support was received from the Mexican Government, non-profit private organizations and personal contributions in pursuit of the objective of each article. In others, information was acquired via Internet, by personal interviews or other channels. In each case, credit is given to information sources. Authors’ rights are reserved –copyright- and you are not authorized to reproduce or share its contents, unless you have PREVIOUSLY requested and received - in writing - permission from the author. Mr. González-Román is a retired FSN employee from the Embassy of the United States of America, where he worked per prior consent by Mexican Congress as evidenced in Federal Official Diary no. 16, dated September 23, 1981. Please read his Biography.