Americans drive with firearms in their car every day. Depending on the state and the condition of the weapon, it’s perfectly legal. However, forgetting your gun in your car, truck, or SUV as you drive across the border with Mexico isn’t just against the law, it could have life-changing repercussions. 

Transporting your legally owned gun in your car as you drive across the border with Mexico could land you in hot water with the Mexican authorities

In short, it’s against the law to drive into Mexico with a gun unless you have an official reason to have one. In fact, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) reminds Americans that the consequences could be dire for knowingly or unknowingly transporting a gun in your car across the border with Mexico. 

“If you are caught entering Mexico with any type of weapon, including firearms or ammunitions, you likely will face severe penalties, including prison time. U.S.-issued permits allowing an individual to carry weapons are not valid in Mexico.” It’s serious business. 

Chances are, the Mexican authorities aren’t going to perform and in-depth inspection of your vehicle and its contents when you drive across the border. Hell, I just drove across the border crossing between San Diego and Tijuana, and the authorities barely slowed us down. However, that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear when it comes to the gun laws in Mexico. 

If you knowingly or unknowingly transport your gun in your car as you cross the border, you could end up in some serious trouble. Remember, you’re a guest in Mexico. As such, travelers must adhere to the local laws to avoid repercussions like fines and jail time. Not much will turn a routine encounter with the Guardia Nacional into a potentially dangerous event than not being able to explain a the presence of a firearm.

On top of the legal issues surrounding the illegal transport of a gun into Mexico, authorities will likely confiscate your firearm. Oh, don’t think you’ll get it back either. As such, it’s of the utmost importance that drivers who keep a gun in their car remove it before they attempt to drive across the border. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule. Some allowances for police or government officials will allow certain qualified Americans to carry a firearm in Mexico.