Mexican Gun Law's are Wild!

Published on November 8, 2025
Duration: 1:22

Owning and shooting a handgun in Mexico requires being over 18 and licensed through the military, with only one military-run legal gun store nationwide. Allowed calibers are typically small, like .22 LR and .380 ACP, excluding military calibers such as 9mm and .45 ACP. All firearms must be registered, and while carry permits exist, they are extremely rare. Self-defense with a firearm is legal if completely necessary and proportional to the threat, with stricter rules for defense within the home where life must be at risk. Any use of a firearm, legal or not, will result in a court case.

Quick Summary

In Mexico, legal handgun ownership requires being over 18 and licensed by the army, with only one military-run gun store. Allowed calibers include .22 LR and .380 ACP, while military calibers like 9mm and .45 ACP are banned. All firearms must be registered, and carry permits are exceptionally rare. Self-defense is legal if necessary and proportional, with strict life-risk conditions for home defense.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Mexican Gun Laws
  2. 00:06Licensing and Legal Gun Stores
  3. 00:18Allowed Handgun Calibers
  4. 00:24Banned Military Calibers
  5. 00:30Firearm Registration and Carry Permits
  6. 00:37Low Percentage of Legal Guns
  7. 00:44Self-Defense Legality
  8. 01:01Home Defense Laws
  9. 01:10Court Involvement in All Cases

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the basic requirements to legally own a handgun in Mexico?

To legally own a handgun in Mexico, you must be over 18 years old and obtain a license through the army. There is only one legal gun store in the entire country, which is operated by the military.

Which handgun calibers are generally allowed and banned in Mexico?

Mexico generally allows smaller calibers like .22 LR and .380 ACP, along with hunting and shotgun cartridges. Military calibers such as 9mm, .45 ACP, .223, 5.56, and .308 are banned for civilian ownership.

Is self-defense with a firearm legal in Mexico?

Yes, self-defense with a firearm is legal in Mexico, but it must be completely necessary and proportional to the threat. For defense within your home, deadly force is only permissible if your life is at risk.

What is the process for firearm registration and carry permits in Mexico?

Every single gun in Mexico must be registered. While carry permits exist, they are extremely rare, with only a handful of people actually possessing them.

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