Mexico City—In a move that could reshape the landscape of firearm regulation, the Chamber of Deputies has approved a important reform to the Federal law on Firearms and Explosives. The approved reform grants permits for carrying weapons to employees of public bodies, including the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), the Tax Governance Service (SAT), and Banco de México (banxico), provided they meet specific requirements.

Key Aspects of the Reform

The reform modifies 57 articles of the existing law, extending the right to carry weapons to members of organizations with public functions, contingent upon meeting legally established requirements and conditions. Beneficiaries include:

• Public and parastatal companies
• Autonomous bodies such as the National Energy commission (CNI)
• Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex)
• The Mint of Mexico

Additionally, the reform extends to private security companies, allowing them to carry firearms for security functions, subject to approval by the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena).

Obligations and Controls

To ensure accountability, the reform introduces stringent controls. Deputy Sergio Gil Rullán of the Citizen movement emphasized that these controls are designed to guarantee proper weapon management. Key obligations include:

• Organizations with collective licenses must report details of armed personnel to Sedena, including credential folios and weapon inventories.
• Sedena retains the power to inspect collectively registered weapons, enhancing oversight by municipal and state authorities.

Expanded Rights for Ejidatarios and Community Members

The reform broadens the scope for ejidatarios, community members, and day laborers, allowing them to possess and carry weapons under specific conditions. These individuals can possess .22 caliber rifles or shotguns of any caliber, provided they can verify their status with reliable documentation. Exclusions apply to shotguns with barrels shorter than 25 inches and those exceeding .12 gauge.

Firearm Catalog Expansion

The catalog of firearms that individuals can possess for legitimate safety and defense has been expanded, subject to legal limitations. Though, the manufacture, use, and carrying of weapons exclusively for army, armed, and air force use remain prohibited, as are weapons created through 3D printing, additive techniques, replicas, or handmade methods, with specific exceptions.

Requirements for Permits

Applicants for individual weapons permits must demonstrate physical and mental fitness and abstain from narcotics. These prerequisites aim to ensure that only qualified individuals are authorized to carry firearms.

Ammunition Sales

The reform establishes a structured periodicity for ammunition sales: annually for personal protection, quarterly for hunting, and monthly for accredited army personnel.

Electoral Context

Deputy Lorena Piñón Rivera of the PRI hailed the initiative, asserting that it will protect candidates facing threats during electoral campaigns. She noted that Veracruz is approaching a historic election on June 1, and the threat of criminal violence seeks to undermine the democratic process. Piñón Rivera emphasized that the law’s strict framework is a strategy to combat illegal weapon use by organized crime.

This reform will help protect candidates who face threats during electoral campaigns… The strict framework of the law is a strategy to combat the illegal use of weapons by organized crime.
Lorena Piñón Rivera, PRI Deputy

Legislative Next Steps

Having passed in the Chamber of Deputies, the reform now moves to the Senate for debate and potential approval. If the Senate concurs, the reform will be enacted, impacting weapon regulation across Mexico.