Mexican military and their guns - safe?
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Wingy
Contributor
Coming from Aus our coppers are armed but still I did not like the riot squad in full gear all over Paris Central station a few weeks before the current protests broke out. In 5 European countries I saw either protests and marches or riot squad doing drills. In all countries but Belgium and France the police were actually quite genial and even helpful. So helpful I'm going to give the police who were drunk driving on armistice day and cleaned me up when I was already on crutches a free pass.
French police had a certain attitude I did not like at all. I got the feeling if you got run over by French police it wouldn't be by accident.
French police had a certain attitude I did not like at all. I got the feeling if you got run over by French police it wouldn't be by accident.
Regarding all the complaints about Mexican military/police and their automatic weapons ... Do not visit Europe! Particularly do not visit during Christmas and New Years. There are police and military in every train station and airport and most have automatic weapons. There is always at least a four person patrol at Notre Dame in Paris. They are military and carry the FAMAS F1 automatic weapon. They all look cranky and will give you the stink eye if you smile at them. And everyone from the age of 18 to about 45 have a fully automatic weapon stored in their home in Switzerland since they are military reserve. The Swiss citizens get to keep their service weapons when they leave the military but they have to have the sear for their SG 550 or 553 swapped out to a semi-automatic.
One day soon after we moved to Switzerland, I got a text from my wife saying that a man just got on the train with a machine gun and she was going to die. I replied that she was fine and she was likely going to see more people with them since it was mid-July and many of the reservists were reporting for summer duty.
One day soon after we moved to Switzerland, I got a text from my wife saying that a man just got on the train with a machine gun and she was going to die. I replied that she was fine and she was likely going to see more people with them since it was mid-July and many of the reservists were reporting for summer duty.
Scuba Lawyer
Contributor
Two quick stories. In the early 80s a group of about 20 of us went down to Ensenada, Mexico to dive La Bufadora. The crowds of locals and tourists were so interested in us and our dive gear that we actually had a hard time getting through the crowd and into the water. Some Federales were there and took a liking to us after we gave them a few bottles of tequila. They called in reinforcements. We had 40 machine gun toting Feds lining a path for us to walk down to the water in full dive gear. Felt like royalty.
Second, I had the misfortune to step off the plane in Port a prince, Haiti in 1971 when the dictator Papa Doc died and Baby Doc assumed power. Complete martial law declared and we were escorted by the Hatian military under heavy armed guard to a detention camp where we were slowly processed out over the next several days.
On the other hand, in 1993 I got my photo taken with the National Police in Ecuador who where out protecting tourists on the street in Quito.
My 2psi. M
Second, I had the misfortune to step off the plane in Port a prince, Haiti in 1971 when the dictator Papa Doc died and Baby Doc assumed power. Complete martial law declared and we were escorted by the Hatian military under heavy armed guard to a detention camp where we were slowly processed out over the next several days.
On the other hand, in 1993 I got my photo taken with the National Police in Ecuador who where out protecting tourists on the street in Quito.
My 2psi. M
I think what can be unnerving is that most people in western countries are used to troops and police that look and act differently than other countries.
For instance, in the Philippines I saw police at the mall and on the street with all different uniforms, and all different weapons (one had a sweet nickel plated 1911). In India and Honduras the police/army personnel seem pretty poorly trained with no weapons discipline, constantly pointing into crowds, etc.
I think this can cause unease even if you are not sure why, just a subconscious thing that things look different than your used to.
For instance, in the Philippines I saw police at the mall and on the street with all different uniforms, and all different weapons (one had a sweet nickel plated 1911). In India and Honduras the police/army personnel seem pretty poorly trained with no weapons discipline, constantly pointing into crowds, etc.
I think this can cause unease even if you are not sure why, just a subconscious thing that things look different than your used to.
Back in 2000, I lived in Saltillo Mexico as a salesman, traveled all over the country. My first few weekend getaways in Cozumel, I don't remember any "security".
Driving around Saltillo and other inland parts of the country though, you'd see a red flag of some sort on the side of the road - it was a military checkpoint. Spooky only in that all the military guys were basically young kids, from facial features, they were mostly from deep southern states. All carrying what looked like M1 carbines, no automatic weapons at all. I was probably stopped 10-15 times over the year, never a problem - the kids would joke around and laugh once you got thru the initial who you are what your doing thing.
Mexico City was another story - everywhere. If there wasn't an armed guard, there was a dog the size of a small cow. Back then, they were robbing people at stoplights in the backseat of the old VW's. We always stayed in Zona Presidential and had a private driver - at dinner, there'd be military guys out on the streets but again, no automatic weapons.
State cops and local cops were all unarmed, federalies driving the black cars were armed and I was warned not to offer them bribes - any other officer, bribes were a way of life.
Times were way different back then. The guys you see now all have automatics, but they're older and look way more trained then back in the day. I don't know that I've ever seen one not smile back at you or nod - standing out in the blazing heat in all black. Just what there job is, what it could mean, I have a lot of respect for those guys - they don't bother me at all and it ain't bad seein
Driving around Saltillo and other inland parts of the country though, you'd see a red flag of some sort on the side of the road - it was a military checkpoint. Spooky only in that all the military guys were basically young kids, from facial features, they were mostly from deep southern states. All carrying what looked like M1 carbines, no automatic weapons at all. I was probably stopped 10-15 times over the year, never a problem - the kids would joke around and laugh once you got thru the initial who you are what your doing thing.
Mexico City was another story - everywhere. If there wasn't an armed guard, there was a dog the size of a small cow. Back then, they were robbing people at stoplights in the backseat of the old VW's. We always stayed in Zona Presidential and had a private driver - at dinner, there'd be military guys out on the streets but again, no automatic weapons.
State cops and local cops were all unarmed, federalies driving the black cars were armed and I was warned not to offer them bribes - any other officer, bribes were a way of life.
Times were way different back then. The guys you see now all have automatics, but they're older and look way more trained then back in the day. I don't know that I've ever seen one not smile back at you or nod - standing out in the blazing heat in all black. Just what there job is, what it could mean, I have a lot of respect for those guys - they don't bother me at all and it ain't bad seein
Until someone can reference some credible source of Mexican law enforcement /military shooting a guiltless tourist I personally am glad they are well armed and am happy for their presence. Haven't heard of accidental discharge deaths either.
I've yet to pay a known bribe in this part of the world. Unless they plan to open fire, a firearm isn't an effective tool for soliciting a bribe from me.
So far only had 5 times when uniformed and armed people ask for bribes in this region. (Daylight and without offence.) Haggling goes the same.
Strolled past on 5th Ave this evening. Common sight.
Cameron
I've yet to pay a known bribe in this part of the world. Unless they plan to open fire, a firearm isn't an effective tool for soliciting a bribe from me.
So far only had 5 times when uniformed and armed people ask for bribes in this region. (Daylight and without offence.) Haggling goes the same.
Strolled past on 5th Ave this evening. Common sight.
Cameron
El Graduado
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I saw this newspaper article a few months ago. Maybe this would make the worriers happier?
Mexican police force armed with slingshots after guns confiscated
David Agren in Mexico City
Wed 27 Jun 2018 20.14 BST
Police in a troubled Mexican municipality have been equipped with slingshots and stones after state officials stripped officers of their weapons.
Mexican police force armed with slingshots after guns confiscated
David Agren in Mexico City
Wed 27 Jun 2018 20.14 BST
Police in a troubled Mexican municipality have been equipped with slingshots and stones after state officials stripped officers of their weapons.
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