[knayrb]

Okay. This may nominated for the most stupid question ever on the forum and I'm pretty sure the answer is a big NO! Has anyone been to Guatemala and could I take my instrument of protection out of our country and into theirs? If so what forms/permissions are needed? My wife has planned this trip for our family and after reading about it I sure would like to carry my very small S&W 642. We have a guide but pretty much it will be just 4 of us. I will practice all the safety precautions like being in before dark, staying out of less traveled areas, trying not to look like a bunch of tourist in bermuda shorts, with a camera around my neck, traveling in large groups when possible, carrying minimal money, having multiple copies of our passports, etc. - but I would really like to carry my ultimate protection against bad guys.

 

[rdoggsilva]

I would say get a hold of there consult and ask them. But do not be surprised if they say no.

 

[divegeek]

It looks like the answer is actually YES, you can.

The law in Guatemala says:

Artículo 28. Importación temporal de armas de fuego por extranjeros. Los extranjeros que deseen ingresar temporalmente al país armas de fuego defensivas y/o deportivas, presentación su solicitud con la debida anticipación por conducto de la respectiva Misión Consular de Guatemala, o su representante, la que será cursada al DECAM para su autorización.

En caso de resolverse favorablemente, el DECAM concederá licencia especial y temporal de portación y/o traslado, y lo comunicará al Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores para que ordene a las autoridades consulares la autorización de los documentos de embarque. Situado el embarque en cl territorio nacional el DECAM deberá verificar que las armas importadas sean las efectivamente registradas.

Translated (by me, so not an official translation, but should be pretty accurate):

Article 28. Temporary import of firearms by foreigners. Foreigners who desire to temporarily import sporting or defensive firearms to the country shall present a request to the Consulate of Guatemala, or its representative, which will forward it to DECAM for authorization.

If authorized, DECAM will grant a special temporary license to carry and/or transport, and will communicate it to the Ministry of Exterior Relations to order the consular authorities to authorize shipping documents. Upon arrival into the national territory, DECAM should verify that the imported arms are the registered arms.

So, contact the Guatemalan consulate and ask them to tell you what sort of form you need to fill out. If they don't know what you're talking about, refer them to the "Law of arms and munitions" (Ley de Armas y Municiones), Title II, Chapter IV, Article 28.

 

[xmirage2kx]

From what I have found (google searches) it is possible, but very unlikely that you could get granted permission.

 

[Tarzan1888]

Okay. This may nominated for the most stupid question ever on the forum and I'm pretty sure the answer is a big NO! Has anyone been to Guatemala and could I take my instrument of protection out of our country and into theirs? If so what forms/permissions are needed? My wife has planned this trip for our family and after reading about it I sure would like to carry my very small S&W 642. We have a guide but pretty much it will be just 4 of us. I will practice all the safety precautions like being in before dark, staying out of less traveled areas, trying not to look like a bunch of tourist in bermuda shorts, with a camera around my neck, traveling in large groups when possible, carrying minimal money, having multiple copies of our passports, etc. - but I would really like to carry my ultimate protection against bad guys.

I travel a lot in my work and I have to sometimes go to areas where guns are just not allowed. This includes virtually everywhere out of the country.

In these instances I take an alternate form of self defense. I am an Irishman and so I take a shillelagh.

"Bataireacht is a traditional Irish term used to describe the various stickfighting martial arts of Ireland."

"The actual 'bata' or stick used for bataireacht is referred to as a "Sail-Eille" or phonetically in English as "shillelagh". The word "cudgel" is also used in period texts. Traditionally, blackthorn, oak, ash and hazel were the most common types of woods used to make shillelagh fighting sticks."

"Modern practice of Bataireacht has arisen among some practitioners from a desire to maintain or reinstate Irish family traditions, while for others a combination of historical and cultural interest has lead to their interest in bataireacht. Practitioners exist in Ireland, the United States and Canada, in movements started somewhat independently of each other. Bataireacht is also gaining popularity among the non-Irish, especially in the United States, as a form of self defense, since a cane or walking stick can be carried easily in modern society. As is the case with most martial arts, multiple versions exist."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bata_(martial_arts)

Below are a couple of oak shillelagh's that I have made to take with me when I travel. A couple of notes. The shillelagh is held close to the body and used to parry and thrust. The parry is to ward off blows and the target of the thrust is the base of the sternum. It is never used as a club.

Tarzan