In brief
Despite millions of weapons in civilian hands and a thriving black market, legal gun ownership in Mexico is tightly controlled through two military-operated stores, impacting citizens' access to firearms in a country facing rampant violence.
Eduardo Ignacio García Zavala embarked on a lengthy journey—after three months of waiting for approval on his paperwork, he drove overnight to Mexico City to purchase a precision rifle. The experience of obtaining a gun in Mexico is fraught with challenges. Customers often travel vast distances just to reach one of the nation’s two legal gun stores. For some, the drive can take hours—police officers have been known to rent vans for an eight-hour trek, while an insurance worker made a nine-hour journey for a specific firearm.The two legal stores symbolize Mexico's complex relationship with firearms. The Constitution grants citizens the right to bear arms, yet the overwhelming presence of illegal firearms, particularly those smuggled from the United States, has led the government to impose strict regulations. These military-run establishments are a testament to the government's effort to manage the ownership of firearms amidst a backdrop of crime and violence.For private security personnel, sport shooters, and everyday citizens, the arduous trips to these stores reflect a commitment to legally owning guns. However, the process is not easy; the stores resemble a combination of a Department of Motor Vehicles office and a small museum, where potential buyers are required to present a plethora of documents and endure long waits for approval.One notable customer, Cristian Ulices Ocaranza Marquez, a municipal police officer, shared his experience of driving from Colima—a state grappling with high homicide rates—for the opportunity to purchase a handgun. With his department’s restrictions preventing him from bringing his service weapon home, he applied for a personal firearm, endured the typical three-month waiting period, and ultimately spent $518—nearly double the average monthly salary in Mexico.These experiences highlight the irony of gun ownership laws in a country that faces pervasive gun violence. With the soaring demand for firearms amid insecurity, the limited access to legal guns juxtaposes the reality of rampant illegal arms proliferation, posing significant questions about the effectiveness and implications of strict gun control in Mexico.
