The Mexican government plans to offer up to $1,300 for firearms, including machine guns and assault rifles, as part of a disarmament program aimed at curbing violent crime.
Details of the program outlines financial incentives for turning in weapons at designated collection points, often located in church lobbies. Payments include 8,700 pesos ($430) for a revolver, 25,000 pesos ($1,200) for an AK-47, and 26,450 pesos ($1,300) for a machine gun.
President Claudia Sheinbaum urged citizens to participate in the “Yes to Disarmament, Yes to Peace” initiative, emphasizing that no legal action would be taken against those who surrender firearms. “The idea is to establish voluntary collection sites, like in church lobbies, where people can safely turn in their weapons in exchange for financial compensation,” she explained. Sheinbaum also highlighted the program’s past success in Mexico City during her tenure as mayor.
Mexico continues to grapple with violent crime fueled by the illegal drug trade. In 2023, the country recorded 31,062 homicides, with 70% involving firearms, according to preliminary data from the national statistics institute.
Although gun sales are heavily restricted in Mexico, making legal purchases nearly impossible, the government has repeatedly called on the U.S. to address arms trafficking across the shared border.
