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Airgun law · World
Are Airguns Legal in Mexico?
Yes, with conditions.
Generally legal, but with real rules to follow, usually age verification and, in some places, a low-power threshold.
Tier 3: Moderate
Threshold-based licensing: a permit-free band for low-power airguns, with a licence required above it.
MX
The picture at a glance
Each measure below scores how restrictive Mexico is on that part of owning or transferring an airgun, from permissive (green) to firearm-level (red).
ClassificationThreshold-based
Age rule18+
PossessionVariable
Transfer / saleVariable
TransportCased
AuthorityNational statute
Before you buy or sell
- Above 140 J, airguns are legally firearms. SEDENA club licensing, registration and firearm penalties apply.
- Clandestine firearm import: 5–30 years' imprisonment.
The rules in detail
Classification
Threshold-based
Reform published May 29, 2025 (LFAFE, in force May 30, 2025): 140-joule threshold. At or below 140 J: expressly permitted (Art. 13). Above 140 J: counted as firearms (Art. 1o Bis V) and listed with the sport-shooting and hunting arms of Art. 10 (Art. 10 VIII): licensable through a SEDENA-registered club, not military-exclusive.
Age rule
18+
18+ baseline.
Possession
Variable
At or below 140 J: permitted without a licence, but use must be confined to the place where the airgun is used, and transport must be justified by work or sport (Art. 13). Above 140 J: firearm rules: SEDENA authorisation as a registered shooting/hunting club member (Art. 10) and registration in the Federal Firearms Registry.
Transfer / sale
Variable
SEDENA permit required for import even below threshold.
Transport
Cased
Cased. Sub-140 J airguns may be transported only when the work or sporting purpose can be demonstrated (Art. 13); carrying any weapon resembling a firearm in public can result in serious legal consequences.
Authority
National statute
Federal statute.
Hunting with an airgun
Hunting tourism exists; airguns a niche.
Deer
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Turkey
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Small game
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Predators
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Other big game
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Import & travel
Local & import notes
Visitor procedure
All weapon imports (including airguns) require SEDENA permit through Mexican Consulate at least 2 months before arrival. Spring-piston and PCP airguns may be treated differently from gas-propelled. Max 2 rifles per hunter, 40 rounds per firearm. Penalties for clandestine firearms import: 5–30 years' imprisonment.
Keep exploring
This is a plain-language summary compiled from primary statutes and official guidance. It isn't legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary, so verify the current rules with the relevant authority before buying, selling, or hunting.