Travel to Mexico

6485 Views 15 Replies 10 Participants Last post by PREDTECTOR, Jan 12, 2009

ndavis2008

Discussion Starter · May 30, 2008

I am going on a trip to Tijuana, Mexico. I am accompaning my family (as I am the only one that speaks spanish) and I have researched their gun laws and found them pretty strict so I won't be taking my gun unless I want to take the chance of spending 10 years in a Mexican prison. I do however would like to protect my self and my family. I haven't been able to find anything on other weapon laws in Mexico. I thought maybe about buying a small pepper spray or taking an ASP(expandable baton) to protect us. Does anyone have some insight as to what I might carry according to Mexico law and will I have a problem getting through customs?Any other safety advice for traveling to Tijuana, and advice for any protection at all?

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tapehoser

· #2 · May 30, 2008

Terrible place to visit. My only advice would be to pick somewhere else. Tijuana is like, the lowest common denominator for Mexico. You see the worst of the worst. There are lots of other beautiful places to go in Mexico.

Other than that, I have no knowledge of Mexican weapons laws and ould not offer a good opinion. What's the worst they could do at the border, confiscate the baton?

Car Knocker

· #3 · May 30, 2008

I'm partial to a nice hardwood cane in those situations where an innocuous weapon is desired.

rdoggsilva

· #4 · May 30, 2008

The best defense weapon, is to stay out of TJ. Good place to get robbed or worse. A lot of drug killings and related crimes going on there. I have family in the San Diego area and they tell us about it. But if you just have to go do what Car knocker stated carry a good hardwood cane.

divegeek

· #5 · May 30, 2008

tapehoser said:
Tijuana is like, the lowest common denominator for Mexico. You see the worst of the worst. There are lots of other beautiful places to go in Mexico.

I don't consider Tijuana to be Mexico at all. TJ is it's own place, and a very nasty one.

tapehoser

· #6 · May 30, 2008

Well said, hombre.

ndavis2008

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 30, 2008

If I didn't have to go I wouldn't. My mother-in-law and my wife are going down there for some alternative medical treatments. Like you said, if I was going for strictly a vacation I would choose somewhere else to go. As a missionary in the Dominican Republic I was fearless and could careless about getting mugged, but now that my wife and family are going with me to Mexico, I will be a nervous wreck without any protection. I just think that when you are in an uncharted area(foreign country) you would like to take precautions. I was talking with a coworker(also a CFP holder) and he said to not carry anything as if I were to defend myself in another country I would most likely be the one going to jail. He said to just face up to the robbery and report the robbery after. I don't know what to think about this as I only carry credit cards and no cash at all. What happens if they get frustrated that I have no cash and then they kick the crap out of me/family or even kill me/family because I didn't provide what they wanted? I should probably take some self defense classes when I get back for future endevours(sp?). Like stated above, maybe I will invest in a wooden cane for the trip. That looks harmless, right?

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rdoggsilva

· #8 · May 31, 2008

But act like you need it. When I lived in Kali, my brother-in-law and I, would would take family members down there to get medicine. We always carried a extra $10-20 just in case of a mugging. It never happened thank God. And if anyone ask you to bring anything back DO NOT DO IT. Have fun and eat a dog or cat taco for me. :lolbang: :ROFL:

divegeek

· #9 · May 31, 2008

ndavis2008 said:
I was talking with a coworker(also a CFP holder) and he said to not carry anything as if I were to defend myself in another country I would most likely be the one going to jail. He said to just face up to the robbery and report the robbery after. I don't know what to think about this as I only carry credit cards and no cash at all. What happens if they get frustrated that I have no cash and then they kick the crap out of me/family or even kill me/family because I didn't provide what they wanted? I should probably take some self defense classes when I get back for future endevours(sp?). Like stated above, maybe I will invest in a wooden cane for the trip. That looks harmless, right?

Honestly, although Tijuana isn't a place I like to visit, it's not that bad. Stay in public places, keep your wallet in your front pocket, and be alert and you'll be fine. If you're really worried about a robbery, get $20 cash and put it in your wallet (in your front pocket) then put all your credit cards and important stuff somewhere else. If you get mugged (unlikely if you stay in well-traveled areas), give the mugger the wallet with the cash. It sucks to let them get away with something, but it's better than getting hurt.

GeneticsDave

· #10 · May 31, 2008

You can always take AMEX traveller's cheques (that's how they spell it for some reason). AMEX will refund your money if they lost or stolen.

gr8grandma

· #11 · Jun 20, 2008

ndavis2008 said:
If I didn't have to go I wouldn't. My mother-in-law and my wife are going down there for some alternative medical treatments. Like you said, if I was going for strictly a vacation I would choose somewhere else to go. As a missionary in the Dominican Republic I was fearless and could careless about getting mugged, but now that my wife and family are going with me to Mexico, I will be a nervous wreck without any protection. I just think that when you are in an uncharted area(foreign country) you would like to take precautions. I was talking with a coworker(also a CFP holder) and he said to not carry anything as if I were to defend myself in another country I would most likely be the one going to jail. He said to just face up to the robbery and report the robbery after. I don't know what to think about this as I only carry credit cards and no cash at all. What happens if they get frustrated that I have no cash and then they kick the crap out of me/family or even kill me/family because I didn't provide what they wanted? I should probably take some self defense classes when I get back for future endevours(sp?). Like stated above, maybe I will invest in a wooden cane for the trip. That looks harmless, right?

RU back..?? :nilly: what did you decide to do??

Retire Early

· #12 · Jun 20, 2008

For such cases, I plan on buying the "Unbreakable Umbrella." Watch the videos and you'll be hooked! Take it to church, on a foreign mission, on airplanes, in the White House, wherever you want without a single funny look.

http://www.real-self-defense.com/umbrella1.html

Tarzan1888

· #13 · Jun 20, 2008

Retire Early said:
For such cases, I plan on buying the "Unbreakable Umbrella." Watch the videos and you'll be hooked! Take it to church, on a foreign mission, on airplanes, in the White House, wherever you want without a single funny look.

http://www.real-self-defense.com/umbrella1.html

That is one way......and this is another;

Being an Irishman, I take a Shillelagh.

I have studied and practice, Bataireacht, a form of Irish martial art, using the iIrish walking stick or Shillelagh.

"The actual 'bata' or stick used for bataireacht is referred to as a "Sail-Ã‰ille" 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 practise of Bataireacht has arisen among some practitioners from a desire to maintain or reinstate Irish family traditions, while for others a comination 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/Bataireacht

Who would deny a man getting on a plane, his walking stick? I flowen into such bastions of anti-gun America as New York, with out a second glanse at my Shillelagh.

Below are pictured a couple of stout, oak Shillelaghs that I have made and carried.

Tarzan

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ndavis2008

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 20, 2008

Ya, I came back safe and sound. We were actually in not that bad of an area and the Hotel we stayed in wasn't bad. It was actually more like a Best Western. We just made sure to not be out after 8-9pm. I actually think that my ability to speak Spanish takes them back and I don't look as vulnerable. It was fun and I had a nice relaxing time, while the wife and family went to see the doctors. It still scares me thought that I really don't have a leathal way of protecting me and mine. But that is what you get in other countries :disgusted:

rdoggsilva

· #15 · Jun 20, 2008

Glade your back safe in sound. Hope everything worked out fine.

PREDTECTOR

· #16 · Jan 12, 2009

if you were to get cought in california with a baton its a felony (if you are not law enforcement)

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