What Types of Cases Does a Firearms Defense Attorney Help with in Tijuana?

Did you know Tijuana was found to have the highest number of homicides among any Mexican municipality recently? Many of these homicides are carried out by cartels using American-made guns whose targets include rival cartel members, anti-cartel political figures, and even journalists.

Mexico’s law enforcement has responded similarly to other South American countries plagued by gun violence by implementing some of the strictest gun laws in the world. In other words, if you’re ever embroiled in a firearms-related criminal case in a city like Tijuana, chances are the authorities will scrutinize your circumstances closely—even if you don’t have any cartel affiliations! In this sort of situation, we recommend hiring a firearms defense attorney to help you obtain the best possible result in court. But what types of cases does a firearms defense attorney help with in Tijuana?

Here are three types of cases a gun crimes attorney in Tijuana can help with.

Bringing Firearms into Mexico without a Permit

One of the most common types of cases handled by firearms violations defense attorneys in Tijuana involves travelers bringing guns into Mexico without a permit. Unfortunately, many travelers who hold American gun permits forget that they require a separate permit issued by the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense to bring firearms into Mexico. When these travelers are arrested and charged with illegal firearms importation, they often resort to hiring a reputable criminal defense attorney to defend them.

Travelers charged with firearms possession who don’t hire a gun crimes attorney in Tijuana risk being convicted as criminals. If the conviction is confirmed, they could end up in prison for up to 3 years and pay 360 days’ worth of their salary as per Article 160 of Mexico’s Codigo Penal Federal (Federal Penal Code).

Illegally Modifying Firearms

Have you ever heard of “bump stock” devices? They refer to rifle attachments that allow the user to fire continuously with a single trigger pull. In simpler words, bump stock devices convert semiautomatic firearms into fully automatic firearms. It’s no wonder the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives recently amended their regulations to class rifles with bump stock devices as machine guns!

According to Article 160 of Mexico’s Federal Penal Code, it’s illegal to carry weapons that have zero work or recreational applications. Therefore, illegally modified firearms such as rifles with bump stock devices are prohibited in Mexico. But why do firearms defense attorneys frequently handle cases involving illegally modified firearms? The answer’s simple—many firearms modifications Mexico deems illegal such as bump stock devices are legal in the United States.

In other words, if you obtain a permit to legally hold firearms in Mexico, you could still be charged with a gun crime if your firearm has illegal modifications! If you’re unsure which firearms modifications are illegal in Mexico or you need help fighting illegal firearms modification charges, we recommend speaking with a firearms crimes attorney.

Stowing Firearms around Children Neglectfully

Imagine recruiting a ten-year-old to a gang, arming them, and involving them in deadly gun battles. It might sound unthinkable, but these are the sorts of tactics drug cartels resort to in Mexico. Mexico’s Federal Penal Code outlines extremely harsh penalties for anyone caught persuading a minor to engage in criminal acts like brandishing firearms. According to Article 201, the penalty for this crime is twelve years in prison and a fine worth 2500 days of your daily income. But what if you influence a child to bear arms indirectly? For instance, what if you stow a weapon neglectfully before it’s found by a child?

If this occurs, then theoretically, the prosecution can argue you’ve corrupted a minor as per Article 201 of the Federal Penal Code. They may also argue that any property where you stowed a firearm neglectfully around a child counts as a place where a child’s healthy development is negatively affected. If the court agrees, you could face an additional three years in prison and a fine worth 700 days of your income!

This is why it’s imperative to consult a firearms crimes attorney if you’re charged with stowing firearms neglectfully. They’ll let you know what you’re liable for depending on the facts of the case and do their utmost to ensure you obtain a positive outcome in court.

Fabian Meneses of Meneses Legal Specializes in Helping Clients Facing Firearms-related Charges in Tijuana

Are you looking for a top criminal defense lawyer in Tijuana who knows Mexico’s firearms laws inside out? If so, it’s time to reach out to our team of criminal defense attorneys at Meneses Legal!

Our team is headed by Fabian Meneses—one of Mexico’s best criminal defense lawyers who is extremely well-versed in defending clients charged with firearms crimes in Tijuana. We also assist clients facing drug crime charges as well as sex crimes, homicides, and contraband crimes. We leave no stone unturned in providing positive outcomes for our clients and operate everywhere from Playas de Tijuana to Los Cabos.

If you’re ready to let a top criminal justice attorney defend you against cross-border crime allegations in Tijuana, we’re just one phone call away. Dial 619-777-8627 (USA) or 664-500-6896 (Mexico) to speak with one of our criminal defense lawyers today!