American Surfer jailed in Mexico

He crossed the border, then they arrested him. If the gun was just a little bit longer, he would have been ok. They should have just took the gun and let him go.

When a Mexican comes to this country, he gets a job and free healthcare. I think Americans who travel to Mexico should be treated as welcomed guests, not criminals. I wouldn't go there.

 

This is an unfortunate situation, regardless of his personal interests & military ties. Just another example of how not "crossing your T's & dotting your I's" can screw you over. I do think that Mexico took it a little too extreme, considering they arrested the group when they could have asked them to turn around; especially since they had paperwork and they were legally trying to bring the firearm with them. Plus, Mexicans cross the border all the time. I feel bad for those out in Southern California who have to deal with the foot traffic, among other life threatening issues due to border control. This past summer, a client of mine actually found an American head in a freezer box off a trail near San Diego. She told me that walking the trails at night can be very dangerous becuase of the drug smugglers/illegal aliens that will take another life in order to be "unseen." This is the United States of America - let's get our OWN back & put an end to all of this. By "this," I am referring to all the immigration laws that benefit those who come here illegally. We don't arrest those who come here illegally - we provide jobs & free healthcare. The Great Wall of North America.

 

Does anyone know if Costa Rica is as bad as Mexico ? If not, it would be much better to just fly there instead of driving. Plus you'll spend more time surfing and less time driving. I hate driving more than an hour or so. That's just me though.

 

Being from Texas I heard the story of the guy who got arrested for bringing ammo back. That was crazy. He was there for years. His family would give money and they would ask for more. I think you have to take the gun/no gun ideology out of it and just be a little street smart. Either hide it or don't bring it. Personally I vote for a plane straight there and a surf resort. Not ever interested in going to Mexico again. I definately feel for the guy though. It's easy to criticize someone else's mistake after they made it. It's not so easy when your the one saying"why didn't I do that differently".

 

Yep, time to build a wall indeed. It would cost a fortune to build, but would pay for itself in the long run.

 

Some report sited the barrel as 24" which is 6" longer than BATF regulation while Mexico legal limit is 25". I know when you cross the Canadian border have to have a US Customs Doc declaring the firearm (sporting long guns only) to enter the Country. As far as Mexico, don't know but you would have thought the US Border patrol would have known Mexico's firearm regulations entering Mexico and would have given some clarification. Mexico is a mecca for sport hunting although has dropped off some 50% due to all the cartel/drug violence in resent years as those who do venture there usually the outfitter provides the shotguns or rifles to avoid legal problems. Its a sad set of circumstances, the Mexican and US State Dept to allow this vet to stay in prison for 4 months is tragic. Oh, the irony, all the Fast & Furious weapons that were allowed to cross the border and this poor surfer been in jail for 4 months. Now as far as Costa, have heard firearms are not allowed period, extremely strict guns and hunting regulations. If it was me, a short barrel shotgun is no match against bandits/drug runners who are well armed with full auto weapons, just say'n. The extortion is no surprise to keep him alive in prison, a friend cousin was kidnapped in Mexico a few years ago and the family paid $100,000 for his release.

If it was me, would have done more researched bringing the shotgun across the border and taken a safer route and flown over the cluster #$%*# anyway.

Since this has reached national attention hope he's home by Christmas

 

sounds like a complete f up all around. that guy will get realeased. no way he does 12 years. i will be surprised if he is sentenced to do any time other than what he is serving now.

mexico is back to being the wild west. Maybe everybody should be allowed to carry.
" it was a fair fight sherrif"

 

Another aspect too look at here--he's in Matamoros. I've spent some time there helping build a hospital and I have spent some time in it's even more lawless neighbor, Reynosa. Seriously, if you are sitting in Brownsville and look over the border toward Matamoros it looks like the city is burning--because it always is in one area or another. Both of these cities are wholly run by cartels, the Mexican government has absolutely NO influence there and barely any over it's own border agents. I remember the only way to get a wave-through back into the states was to hold a Benjamin out the window, otherwise it was SEARCH TIME (searching for how much $$$ they can get out of you before letting you go). It's not a pleasant experience especially when you are literally 200 yards from your home country.

This whole situation is completely effed up and unfortunately the poor guy is languishing until some gubmint bureaucrapp can get off their lazy hides and get the political will to make the one freaking phone call it will take to get this guy released. His family is probably wearing out Western Union keeping their son alive in that prison.

That's why I'm sticking with air and sea travel. At least on a boat it's considered a federal offense in most other countries to get caught with something illegal, so you're dealing directly with the federal government and not some kangaroo local government.

 

I'm sure the state dept flunky has a Ivy league education and will stall since the 'neanderthal deserves what he gets'.

 

I don't want surfers carrying guns simply because they are entering (poorer) countries where there is a lot of jealousy, war, and other violence related to robberies and other crimes, but as long as the governments of the US and Mexico allow guns, then people who carry them should NOT be punished for it, even if it was about an inch too short (it's not sawn off). A deal is a deal. This is blind justice - let's surprise the guy with a huge heart-wrenching arrest, right after we approve of him registering the gun - at least he did what they told him to do by filling out paper work - what more do you want - they are aiding and abetting a crime - they could have asked him to surrender the weapon or ask him to buy another one that's legal - even sell his gun to buy 2 more down there in Mexico. They're going to damage the man's life far in excess of any wrongdoing - that's exactly what you shouldn't do. Also, when the laws are different in each state and each country, it's too damn confusing to people.
I don't like guns but there are people who get scared when they're in dangerous countries. And he might not be a particularly large man. Is he?
I will end this reply by saying one thing - if there ever IS a place where you might need a gun - that's the time to take it. You could leave it at home almost any other day in your life - except when in a country where you can barely speak the language and there are real bandits around. That's why I don't like to hear this arrest.

 

my HK USP...Never leave home without it.

wow??? are you that naive?? the guy was a Marine who is trained to protect himself and understood that to fight people with guns out to do you harm, you need.........wait for it.........GUNS!

 

I have to agree with you "pumpmaster", as it seems the State Dept has allowed this American to rot in jail. Maybe I'm alone on this but a real political embarrassment for State Department. I applaud those who have voiced their opinions in opposition on national TV. So much for looking after our own beyond our borders, just say'n again.

I guess your Rem 700 won't make to the coffin on your next trip ...................

 

i rarely travel anymore since I don't feel comfortable without a weapon nearby. the PSS doesn't go out much except to the range for monthly 'training'. I think this guy had the right weapon for the scenarios he would be facing tho.

 

Looks like Fox News heard you, Betty. Let's get Jon back.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/12/1...ut-marine-with-trumped-up-charge-says-lawyer/

 

You're the type I want to get rid of - but I would do it like a man - not like a *****! You're just to afraid to fight like a man.

 

aka pumpmaster has no guts! You're a girl! You're the type who just shot up an elementary school in CT!

 

You're a chicken - you're afraid of a gang of 5'4" Mexicans!

 

Bwak-bwak!

 

F Mexico - flea bitten 3rd world sh#% hole. We need to make 1 call to their president and tell him to release Hammar immediately. If not we'll go get him - send in one of the seal teams for fun. We send those ungreatful scum bags hundreds of millions of dollars every year and they laugh at us. I wouldnt go to that dump if you paid me. Corruption is a way of life. Get him back and F them.