It seems like an option worth looking into after resolving the following concerns:
1. As arbitrary as the various Mexican authorities can be, I wonder if anyone can verify that a flare gun would not be considered an illegal hand gun in Mexico, which might come with the threat of a long prison sentence?
2. Would carrying a flare gun in a glovebox in the US be considered a concealed weapon by US authorities while on route to Mexico?
3. After shooting at a Mexican citizen in Mexico with a flare gun, whose side would the Mexican authorities take, the Mexican or the gringo, regardless of the perceived threat?
Your comments are welcomed.
Thanks.
PS. I used to carry a machete and survival knife routinely, as part of an emergency kit until I read where they can be considered illegal weapons by Mexican authorities.
I've been real interested in this one too. I used to be on the road a lot more down here and really wanted it then. The roads get lonely out in the outback. I asked around a bit and the general consensus was it was legal, but.... you'd want an opinion from one of the judges, or Ministerio Publico and not sure you could get that easily.
One of the issues about all of this is that the Mexican justice system assumes guilt until you prove innocence. That is supposed to change under the Meridia agreement but it has not yet. The interpretation of the arresting officer has a large effect on the nature of charges and results of those charges. One benefit of this is that you have a chance to talk yourself out of trouble, much moreso than in the states.
On number 2, I would guess that you could have a problem in some states, unless maybe you were towing a boat!! New Mexico allows you to carry in a vehicle, anywhere but hidden on your body. I kept a .380 in the compartment between the seats. Not here in Mexico of course. What is the carry law in AZ, anyone know?
3. I think, just as in the states, if you do serious damange or injure someone or worse you're goin to the station house. In the states they'd get you on Carry, Discharge, Attempted something or another, and worse with injuries. If it was a demonstrable threatening situation with witnesses, I don't think you would have a problem down here, but #1 above comes into play. If you don't own a boat you might have a prepared cover story, say that maybe you were bringing it to Mexico for Stuart' s boat and have Stuart prepared to back you up. Yeah, it's Stuart's fault !!
PS. I got caught on that one with knives in the door panel of the truck and center compartment. Had to pay a fine and lost my best skinning knife to boot. I replaced the knives with one of those heavy duty long black police style flashlights and a spray can as below.
I had a problem with hornets in a tree at my house and got one of those hornet/wasp insecticide spray cans. I was very impressed with the volume and distance of the projection of the spray. The effect is immediate and your eyes will burn with a slight breeze. Sprayed anywhere near the face should disable and immobilize someone but not in a life threatening manner. I have a can in the door panel of the car, at my door at home and one in the office. Not effective from a moving vehicle, but anywhere within 15 feet or so it should work. Should be no problems with the legality of it either, after all it just happened to be handy, right. Never know when those pesky hornets will attack!
