SEDENA firearm permit for home defense

Buying a firearm for home defense in Mexico requires a federal permit from SEDENA (Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional, Mexico’s Ministry of National Defense), and the requirements are strict. Castro Defense provides advisory and paperwork support so that adults across Mexico, including foreign residents, understand the legal path, gather the documents SEDENA asks for and file a complete application. We do not sell firearms: the purchase takes place only at SEDENA’s own store. Our services follow Mexican law.

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Castro Defense is a private, independent firm. It is not part of SEDENA and does not act on its behalf. SEDENA’s arms sales directorate (Dirección de Comercialización de Armamento y Municiones, DCAM) states that its procedures, inquiries and guidance are free of charge and that it has no outside staff providing them. Our fees cover only our private advisory work: fee policy.

Is it legal to keep a gun at home in Mexico?

Yes, within the limits of the law. The Constitution recognizes the right of the country’s inhabitants to keep firearms at home for their security and self-defense, except those prohibited by federal law and those reserved for the exclusive use of the armed forces (art. 10). The Federal Firearms and Explosives Law (Ley Federal de Armas de Fuego y Explosivos, LFAFE) sets the conditions:

• Only firearms authorized by SEDENA may be kept at the declared home address (art. 9).
• For home security, the law covers semi-automatic pistols up to .380″ caliber and revolvers up to .38 Special, with the exceptions the law lists (art. 9). The instructions to SEDENA’s application form state that one handgun is authorized for home protection.
• Every firearm must be declared to SEDENA for entry in the Federal Registry of Firearms and Explosives Control (Registro Federal de Armas de Fuego y Control de Explosivos), and a registration certificate is issued for each one (arts. 7 and 15).
• Each person must declare a single permanent home address for themselves and their family (art. 16).
• Keeping a firearm at home does not allow you to carry it: carrying requires a separate license (art. 24).

How does the SEDENA permit process work?

1. Extraordinary acquisition permit. The application (permiso extraordinario de adquisición, listed on gob.mx as DEFENSA-02-040) is filed in person with SEDENA’s Federal Registry of Firearms and Explosives Control, using the civilian form and supporting documents.
2. Review and decision. SEDENA reviews the application. If the applicant has a criminal record, the permit is not issued even if every other requirement is met. Once approval is notified, government fees are paid only through the federal e5cinco electronic payment scheme.
3. Purchase at the DCAM. With a valid permit, the purchase is made in person at the DCAM in Naucalpan de Juárez, State of Mexico. You present the original permit, valid official ID and proof of payment of the registration fee for each firearm.
4. Registration and ongoing duties. Anyone who acquires a firearm must declare it to SEDENA within 30 calendar days, stating type, caliber, make, model, serial number and use (LFAFE, art. 17). When declaring possession, the owner must name a person responsible for handling the firearm’s final disposal if the owner dies (art. 7).

What documents does SEDENA ask for?

The current civilian form lists, among others:

• Valid official photo ID.
• Birth certificate and CURP (Mexico’s population registry code).
• Recent proof of address in your name or, instead, a residence letter signed by the property’s owner.
• Criminal record certificate issued by the authority of the state where you live.
• Medical and psychological certificate under SEDENA’s guidelines on physical and mental fitness and non-use of drugs, with the results and tests applied.
• Employment letter stating position, seniority and income or, if self-employed, a document issued by a certified public accountant; there are specific cases for retirees and for farm workers and members of ejidos and communal lands.
• Military service card (Cartilla del Servicio Militar Nacional), for men.
• For foreign nationals, an immigration document or naturalization certificate.

Names and address must match across all documents, and any forged document means the application will not be approved. SEDENA may change its requirements and forms; the version it currently publishes is the one that counts.

What does our service include?

• An initial briefing on the legal path and the requirements that apply to you.
• Review of your documents against SEDENA’s current form.
• Preparation of the extraordinary permit application.
• An explanation of the DCAM purchase and your registration duties.

Confirmed scope: exact scope, e.g. advice, document review, appointment booking, accompaniment to the DCAM, registration follow-up. Typical total time for a client: typical time.

What Castro Defense does not do

• It does not sell, store or transport firearms or ammunition.
• It does not guarantee approval: the decision rests solely with SEDENA.
• It does not replace SEDENA or collect payments on its behalf: government fees are paid directly through e5cinco.
• This service covers keeping a firearm at home and does not include carry licenses.

If you are facing legal proceedings, see our legal defense service. For companies and institutions protecting facilities, Castro Defense also offers counter-drone systems to legally authorized clients.

Castro Defense provides an advisory and paperwork service. It does not sell, store or transport firearms or ammunition. Purchases take place only at SEDENA’s DCAM, and approval depends solely on Mexico’s Ministry of National Defense.

Official sources

• Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, art. 10. Chamber of Deputies, current text (Spanish).
• Federal Firearms and Explosives Law (Ley Federal de Armas de Fuego y Explosivos), arts. 7, 9, 15, 16, 17 and 24. Chamber of Deputies, current text as amended May 29, 2025 (Spanish).
• DEFENSA-02-040: extraordinary permit to acquire firearms, cartridges and accessories for individuals. Ministry of National Defense (Spanish).
• Civilian application form. Ministry of National Defense (Spanish).
• Arms sales (DCAM) and purchase requirements for civilians. Ministry of National Defense (Spanish).
• DCAM contact sheet, with the notice that procedures are free and there are no outside agents. Ministry of National Defense (Spanish).

Frequently asked questions

Is it legal to keep a gun at home in Mexico?

Yes, within the limits of the law. Mexico's Constitution recognizes the right of the country's inhabitants to keep firearms at home for security and self-defense, except those prohibited by federal law and those reserved for the armed forces (art. 10). The firearm must be authorized by SEDENA and registered with the Federal Registry of Firearms and Explosives Control.

What firearms can be kept at home in Mexico?

The Federal Firearms and Explosives Law allows semi-automatic pistols up to .380 caliber and revolvers up to .38 Special, with exceptions such as .38 Super pistols and .357 Magnum revolvers (art. 9). SEDENA decides what it authorizes in each case.

Where can you legally buy a gun in Mexico?

Only at SEDENA's arms sales directorate (DCAM) in Naucalpan de Juárez, State of Mexico, next to Mexico City. Purchases are made in person and require a valid extraordinary acquisition permit, official ID and payment of the registration fee for each firearm.

Can foreign residents apply?

SEDENA's current civilian application form asks foreign applicants for their immigration document or naturalization certificate, alongside the other requirements. Whether a permit is granted is decided solely by SEDENA.

Does Castro Defense sell firearms?

No. Castro Defense provides advisory and paperwork services only and does not sell, store or transport firearms or ammunition. Purchases take place only at SEDENA's DCAM, and approval rests solely with Mexico's Ministry of National Defense.