"How Would Private Gun Ownership In Mexico Impact Border Security?"

Here's an excerpt from my latest article for Homeland Security Today's Correspondents Watch:

"“Legalization” is a loaded word in any conversation dealing with Mexico’s drug war. But it always seems to center around illegal drugs -- primarily marijuana. Not too many people, especially on the US side of the border, ever really debate legalizing something else: private gun ownership in Mexico... Some people might be surprised to learn that private ownership of a firearm in Mexico is not easily accomplished. The Mexican constitution has its own version of the US Constitution’s Second Amendment. But while Mexican citizens are guaranteed the right to own firearms, the country’s gun control laws are arguably some of the strictest in the world. The obvious concern is that by allowing thousands of additional guns to enter the fold in Mexico, the bloodshed could get worse. Millions of newly armed and perhaps untrained citizens may be inclined to start implementing the American mantra of “shoot first and ask questions later.” Or, on the flip side, violent cartel members may think twice about conducting an attack on homes or businesses where the owners are able to defend themselves."

To read the full article at HSToday.us, please CLICK HERE!

Comments

[yoyo_bob]

“Despite the widespread availability of guns here, the United States has very high rates of gun-related violence compared to similar countries without that availability,” "

Simpleton liberal argument. Where does most of the gun violence in the US take place? Is it in areas where lawful weapons are prevalent and people are able to defend themselves or in places where this right is curtailed (e.g. LA, Chicago, DC, etc). I would like to see the stats that shows what US municipalities are contributing to this gun violence the most. I am sure the more "progressive" cities are bastions of peace and tranquility.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-03-30/news/chi-far-south-side-man-shot-killed-near-home-20120329_1_calumet-district-shootings-advocate-christ-medical-center

[yoyo_bob]

"Millions of newly armed and perhaps untrained citizens may be inclined to start implementing the American mantra of “shoot first and ask questions later.” "
Why would millions of law abiding Mexicans suddenly become murderers? Is there some defect in the Mexican person where they suddenly want to kill innocent people who are not an imminent threat to them once they have a gun? Do they suddenly want to kill innocent people when they have a kitchen knife in their hand? Are Mexicans in general not trustworthy and therefore should have weapons kept from them?

Must be something about Mexican culture I do not understand.

[Beltonwall]

@yoyo; Everyone knows that it is easier to kill with a gun than a knife. This is why we send our boys to war with rifles, not bayonets.

Why ignore this simple fact?

[yoyo_bob]

"Everyone knows that it is easier to kill with a gun than a knife. This is why we send our boys to war with rifles, not bayonets.

Why ignore this simple fact?"

So Mexicans are all murderers. They just need a easier means to actually act on this impulse. Thanks for enlightening me!

[Beltonwall]

@yoyo:

"So Mexicans are all murderers. They just need a easier means to actually act on this impulse. Thanks for enlightening me!"

My post mentioned nothing about Mexicans or murders in Mexico, so I'm not sure how I enlightened you. Compliment taken!

[Enforcer]

I think it is time to get serios about the drug trafficking and violence in Mexico. I think the U.S. should close the boarder and shoot anyone trying to cross. I am sick and tired of spending my tax money year after year and the violence only escalates.

[L]

@Beltonwall

But it was on a blog about Mexican drug wars, specifically on an entry about gun laws in Mexico and possible consequences of change in those. At someone who is indirectly advocating reform.

If you're done being willfuly thick, Mexico is not America. Everyone who wants guns to kill can get some, since the cartels largely dominate the arms black market and the police is either on the take or intimidated into compliance.

The people who actually follow the law like business owners who don't like being extorted or citizens who are afraid to get kidnapped, unlike in America, can't call the police because they are in collusion with the crooks or sometimes even moonlight as crooks when they aren't charging unofficially for their services. They only have their own strength and perhaps kitchen knives, and as you pointed out, that's not a big help when getting shot at by some two-bit thief with a cheap .22LR pistol, let alone a sicario with some cheap M4 or AK-47 replica.

[madbull]

Policy makers in Mexico realize that arming an oppressed population will likely result in armed revolution. Guns were not accessible to Mexican citizens even before the spike in cartel violence. The struggle for the streets of Mexico between the armed, and empowered cartels and Mexican government is a quagmire driven by a failed, yet entact U.S. Drug policy and the poverty facing the general population of Mexico. Endless numbers of poverty stricken, impressionable young men and boys line the typical Mexican barrio street. These conditions provide cartels with inexpensive, almost endless recruits to fight for the cartel cause. Further, retiring Mexican military personnel finding little opportunity for gainful employment after leaving military life can realize lucrative employment moving into a position as a managment level cartel soldier.

I say give the Mexican population guns. At this point creating a trifecta in the fight for the streets of Mexico could'nt hurt. Combine that with U.S. legalization and regulation of drugs and maybe this needless massacre will calm.