Is Mexico Safe?

[SchizzMan]

Originally Posted by PirateJohn

Most of us who actually live on the border, or who actually travel into Mexico, would disagree or qualify almost every point that you make.

And your "friend" reads like a cut-and-paste from a conservative pro gun/anti-Mexican site.

Do you want to actually step forward and have your "friend" post here, or give us your own first hand experiences?

As a conservative pro-gun pro-Mexican kinda guy I gotta agree with you PJ. Dangit! It's happened AGAIN!

BTW, I got to fire a .22 rifle on a private ranch outside Chihuahua City last March. First time for that. In Mexico.

[PirateJohn]

Originally Posted by SchizzMan

As a conservative pro-gun pro-Mexican kinda guy I gotta agree with you PJ. Dangit! It's happened AGAIN!

BTW, I got to fire a .22 rifle on a private ranch outside Chihuahua City last March. First time for that. In Mexico.

As a liberal gun-owning firearms-enthusiast we have to stop agreeing. It's screwing up the political karma here!

I once dated a gal that once dated what she told me was the son of the Guv'ner of a Mexican state. For various reasons I don't think this was a BS story (she knew her weapons, grew up in Acapulco, her family now owns two fine arts galleries in California, so she had the connections and resources, etc.)

Anyway, long story short, she told me that they would get together with his body guards, go to a public dump, and practice with automatic weapons.

The same gal supposedly was also "requested" by her room mates in college to lose her full-auto MAC-10 or move out.

Moving along ... I have seen advertisements around Victoria encouraging gringos to join hunting parties, and I can guarantee you that folks aren't hunting with slingshots.

For those reading, the laws are strict but civilians can own weapons for personal household protection in Mexico, and can do some sporting shooting. It involves red tape and permission from the local military commander, but it's fairly common.

Norte Americanos can also legally import legitimate hunting weapons, like shotguns.

There is an anecdotal story on another forum (MexConnect perhaps?) about a gringo retiree that was living in Mexico who shot an intruder and the local police wrote it up as the intruder being mysteriously shot in the yard with no suspects. As those of us that travel into Mexico know there is a certain element of (as once explained to me) that if you aren't a troublemaker, then no problem-o ...

But *DON'T* take illegal weapons into Mexico right now. Everyone assumes they are going to the cartels, and that's a big no-no.

So when I see these guns-are-good/Mexican-is-evil stories it irritates me because the truth is in the middle somewhere.

PS -

About 6 months ago I saw a guy walking down the sidewalk in Progreso with civilian clothes and a Browning pistol in a holster, just as bold as brass. Go figure.

[SchizzMan]

Originally Posted by PirateJohn

As a liberal gun-owning firearms-enthusiast we have to stop agreeing. It's screwing up the political karma here!

I once dated a gal that once dated what she told me was the son of the Guv'ner of a Mexican state. For various reasons I don't think this was a BS story (she knew her weapons, grew up in Acapulco, her family now owns two fine arts galleries in California, so she had the connections and resources, etc.)

Anyway, long story short, she told me that they would get together with his body guards, go to a public dump, and practice with automatic weapons.

The same gal supposedly was also "requested" by her room mates in college to lose her full-auto MAC-10 or move out.

Moving along ... I have seen advertisements around Victoria encouraging gringos to join hunting parties, and I can guarantee you that folks aren't hunting with slingshots.

For those reading, the laws are strict but civilians can own weapons for personal household protection in Mexico, and can do some sporting shooting. It involves red tape and permission from the local military commander, but it's fairly common.

Norte Americanos can also legally import legitimate hunting weapons, like shotguns.

There is an anecdotal story on another forum (MexConnect perhaps?) about a gringo retiree that was living in Mexico who shot an intruder and the local police wrote it up as the intruder being mysteriously shot in the yard with no suspects. As those of us that travel into Mexico know there is a certain element of (as once explained to me) that if you aren't a troublemaker, then no problem-o ...

But *DON'T* take illegal weapons into Mexico right now. Everyone assumes they are going to the cartels, and that's a big no-no.

So when I see these guns-are-good/Mexican-is-evil stories it irritates me because the truth is in the middle somewhere.

PS -

About 6 months ago I saw a guy walking down the sidewalk in Progreso with civilian clothes and a Browning pistol in a holster, just as bold as brass. Go figure.

Never thought the truth lay somewhere between thyit and shinola. (Just a little karma fix there)

The greater story on guns and tourists in Mexico isn't something I'd post here. Maybe over puros and a bucket of Indios.

[pilot815]

Originally Posted by PirateJohn

I've read this nonsense some place before. That part about transparent magazines stands out and is basically BS - around here and everywhere else the H&K G3 with a steel magazine is the standard issue rifle.

Anyway ... it's pretty silly. All of the regulars here could qualify almost every sentence of that post.

Yup. The ones with see-through are typically the G36 type. I believe that state police in Chihuahua carry those, as well as some smaller departments. For some reason thats the only place I have seen them in Mexico, not to say they dont exist in other states.

Edit: According to wikipedia some feds also have the G36, and it says the army doesn't. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heckler_%26_Koch_G36

Last year when coming through a military checkpoint with Arte & Co we went through with an ATV behind us with a hunting rifle on the back. Of course they were asked for permits and went right through with no trouble.

My ancestors were big time ranchers in Chihuahua. In fact a great uncle of mine was the head of the Cattle Raisers Assoc for Mexico and had some connections in the government. He always carried weapons and until the day he died (recently) owned weapons in Mexico. My dad was crossing the border with his family once as a kid and the Mexican officials wanted to confiscate my grandpas revolver. He threatened to call one of his brothers connections and report this. Needless to say the officials at that crossing never bothered him again. Of course the 1960's was a different time.

[PirateJohn]

Originally Posted by SchizzMan

Never thought the truth lay somewhere between thyit and shinola. (Just a little karma fix there)

The greater story on guns and tourists in Mexico isn't something I'd post here. Maybe over puros and a bucket of Indios.

Agreed! Some things need to remain a secret.

[PirateJohn]

Originally Posted by pilot815

Yup. The ones with see-through are typically the G36 type. I believe that state police in Chihuahua carry those, as well as some smaller departments. For some reason thats the only place I have seen them in Mexico, not to say they dont exist in other states.

Edit: According to wikipedia some feds also have the G36, and it says the army doesn't. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heckler_%26_Koch_G36

Mexico also bought the FN PS90 which has a see-through magazine but those suckers are rare.

And the FX-05 Xiuhcoatl (a development of the H&K G36) are supposed to be entering service, and I have seen them on the news, but once again those things are VERY rare.

Anyway, whoever wrote that article was most likely surfing the web, and making up nonsense as they went along.

Originally Posted by pilot815

Last year when coming through a military checkpoint with Arte & Co we went through with an ATV behind us with a hunting rifle on the back. Of course they were asked for permits and went right through with no trouble.

My ancestors were big time ranchers in Chihuahua. In fact a great uncle of mine was the head of the Cattle Raisers Assoc for Mexico and had some connections in the government. He always carried weapons and until the day he died (recently) owned weapons in Mexico. My dad was crossing the border with his family once as a kid and the Mexican officials wanted to confiscate my grandpas revolver. He threatened to call one of his brothers connections and report this. Needless to say the officials at that crossing never bothered him again. Of course the 1960's was a different time.

I like the part about an ATV, since you very rarely see those licensed for the street in the USA.

But in some of the rural Mexican towns you see them regularly.

[pilot815]

Originally Posted by PirateJohn

Mexico also bought the FN PS90 which has a see-through magazine but those suckers are rare.

And the FX-05 Xiuhcoatl (a development of the H&K G36) are supposed to be entering service, and I have seen them on the news, but once again those things are VERY rare.

Anyway, whoever wrote that article was most likely surfing the web, and making up nonsense as they went along.




I like the part about an ATV, since you very rarely see those licensed for the street in the USA.

But in some of the rural Mexican towns you see them regularly.

PS90's are very cool.


Not sure if it was licensed. I know in Fresnillo, where I used to live, the wealthier kids all cruised around on ATVs. They were never licensed but because of who was driving them, the police never bothered them. In fact the transito was pretty much non-existent in Fresnillo. It seemed like anybody could drive anything. It was common to see real young kids on scooters and police just didnt seem to care.

[mark883]

Originally Posted by SchizzMan

Fixt

JK, Mark.

Hope you can join us for Dia de los Muertos in Oaxaca this fall. Should be a good time.

What's the timing of this fine event? I'd love to voyage on down. I just have this problem. Work interferes with my riding. Somedays, it just makes me wish I had a drinking problem.

Maybe with a firm date range, I could dictate the schedule around here.



(DdeM is day after/before halloween or something? That's pretty much the end of rainy season, right?)

[PirateJohn]

Originally Posted by pilot815

PS90's are very cool.


Not sure if it was licensed. I know in Fresnillo, where I used to live, the wealthier kids all cruised around on ATVs. They were never licensed but because of who was driving them, the police never bothered them. In fact the transito was pretty much non-existent in Fresnillo. It seemed like anybody could drive anything. It was common to see real young kids on scooters and police just didnt seem to care.

My little personal Margaritaville of Nuevo Progreso is basically a small town in the middle of a bunch of farmer's fields; Progreso itself is so small they get their services, including police, from Rio Bravo.

Anyway, every so often there will be an ATV on the streets threre.

The cops used to have one too ... painted black and white. But I haven't seen it for some time.

[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by mark883

(DdeM is day after/before halloween or something? That's pretty much the end of rainy season, right?)

November 1st and 2nd, the first night to honor children and the following for deceased adult family members. 31 October is spent decorating the cemetary and getting the house ready, and preparing food. The actual prep for this really lasts longer than that.

There is a fine line between personal, familiy oriented remembrance of the dead and public theater. While strangers are usually welcome and, in Oaxaca, the event is a thinly veiled tourist attraction, it is best remembered that polite interaction, keeping a bit of a distance, and asking before taking photographs, etc, go hand in hand in keeping everyone happy.

Yes, tours are organized and sell out in Oaxaca for both 1 and 2 November, and there are crowds in the cemetaries. It is a huge street party with parades, festivals, fireworks and all the rest. Photos from last year's Oaxaca Dia de los Muertos are in my ride report.

I never could square with taking photographs of family vigils, and didn't even desire to ask permission to do so as that felt awkward. Plenty of others felt otherwise, or just blindly snapped away. The graciousness of the Mexican family knows almost no bounds, and in this arena, all were unfailingly polite.

Oaxaca is a very easy reach, directly via autopista if you wish, or a fun mountainous ride from Veracruz state.

Of course it's not the only place in Mexico that celebrates Dia de los Muertos, but it's probably the best.

[acejones]

Originally Posted by mark883

What's the timing of this fine event? I'd love to voyage on down. I just have this problem. Work interferes with my riding. Somedays, it just makes me wish I had a drinking problem.

Maybe with a firm date range, I could dictate the schedule around here.



(DdeM is day after/before halloween or something? That's pretty much the end of rainy season, right?)

November 1st. Its November 1st every year. All Saints Day.

[SchizzMan]

Originally Posted by mark883

What's the timing of this fine event? I'd love to voyage on down. I just have this problem. Work interferes with my riding. Somedays, it just makes me wish I had a drinking problem.

Maybe with a firm date range, I could dictate the schedule around here.



(DdeM is day after/before halloween or something? That's pretty much the end of rainy season, right?)

Just after rainy season - typically.

My little adventure will cover the last week of October and first week of November. This should provide time to explore Catemaco and Pueblos Magicos on the way down and Huatulco/Pto Escondido/MX200/Mil Cumbres on the return. Hoping to meet MikeMike and do a little riding with him as well. Will spend last Sat/Sun in Mexico City.

Would be happy to have you along. Certainly understand the job thing.

[SchizzMan]

Originally Posted by tricepilot

November 1st and 2nd, the first night to honor children and the following for deceased adult family members. 31 October is spent decorating the cemetary and getting the house ready, and preparing food. The actual prep for this really lasts longer than that.

There is a fine line between personal, familiy oriented remembrance of the dead and public theater. While strangers are usually welcome and, in Oaxaca, the event is a thinly veiled tourist attraction, it is best remembered that polite interaction, keeping a bit of a distance, and asking before taking photographs, etc, go hand in hand in keeping everyone happy.

Yes, tours are organized and sell out in Oaxaca for both 1 and 2 November, and there are crowds in the cemetaries. It is a huge street party with parades, festivals, fireworks and all the rest. Photos from last year's Oaxaca Dia de los Muertos are in my ride report.

I never could square with taking photographs of family vigils, and didn't even desire to ask permission to do so as that felt awkward. Plenty of others felt otherwise, or just blindly snapped away. The graciousness of the Mexican family knows almost no bounds, and in this arena, all were unfailingly polite.

Oaxaca is a very easy reach, directly via autopista if you wish, or a fun mountainous ride from Veracruz state.

Of course it's not the only place in Mexico that celebrates Dia de los Muertos, but it's probably the best.

For 2012 (if we're all still here) I'm planning for Dia de los Muertos in Patzcuaro, Michoacan. This is the other town people mention alot.

[Bato]

Originally Posted by pilot815

PS90's are very cool.


Not sure if it was licensed. I know in Fresnillo, where I used to live, the wealthier kids all cruised around on ATVs. They were never licensed but because of who was driving them, the police never bothered them. In fact the transito was pretty much non-existent in Fresnillo. It seemed like anybody could drive anything. It was common to see real young kids on scooters and police just didnt seem to care.

Bet there more things that you can't do here in the states than in Mexico

[mark883]

Originally Posted by SchizzMan

Just after rainy season - typically.

My little adventure will cover the last week of October and first week of November. This should provide time to explore Catemaco and Pueblos Magicos on the way down and Huatulco/Pto Escondido/MX200/Mil Cumbres on the return. Hoping to meet MikeMike and do a little riding with him as well. Will spend last Sat/Sun in Mexico City.

Would be happy to have you along. Certainly understand the job thing.

I might really need to consider that. Maybe strategic thinking and scheduling can make that work. What stinks is my needing 3 days to get to the bottom Texas. Yah, maybe I could make it in two, but something always screws that up. (Hey, look at that big red blob on the radar!) Oaxaca is on my list- but looking at the map, its almost like saying, "Hey, lets go to Guatemala!" Order another fresh set of Anakees.....