1. Firearms sold to Mexican state and local police, 2019-2023
In November 2023, Stop US Arms to Mexico submitted an information request to Mexico’s National Defense Secretariat (SEDENA – the Army). SEDENA initially released purchase records with information about the number, type, caliber and make of the firearms redacted. In response to an appeal by Stop US Arms to Mexico, the National Institute for Access to Information ruled in March 2024 (Resolution RRA 2081/24) that SEDENA must respond to public requests for data on the number, characteristics and cost of firearms sold Mexican police by Mexican state, year, and manufacturer.
As a result, in Folio 330026423003765, SEDENA released 1,007 pages of paper photocopies of receipts for firearms transferred to state and local police in Mexico from December 1, 2018 through November 6, 2023. Stop US Arms to Mexico scanned the receipts and entered the data in the database linked below, and reviewed it for consistency and accuracy to the extent possible. Munitions and accessories from the receipts are not included in the dataset. Some receipts did not name the agency receiving the arms. In addition, we have removed information on which municipalities received firearms and firearm model information, to address potential risks of disclosure.
We make this dataset available for public use. Changes made to the file by users after downloading it are the responsibility of those users. We request that those using the data cite it as: “Mexico Police Firearms Database 2019-2023, downloaded at www.stopusarmstomexico/police-firearms-database, based on documents released by SEDENA in response a public information request, Folio 330026423003765.”
Download Mexico Police Firearms Database 2019-2023
2. Firearms sold to Mexican state and local police, 2006-2018
In late 2018, Stop US Arms to Mexico submitted an information request to Mexico’s National Defense Secretariat (SEDENA – the Army). After SEDENA’s initial denial of the information, the National Institute for Access to Information ruled (Resolution RRA 569/19) that SEDENA must respond to public requests for data on the number, characteristics and cost of firearms sold Mexican police by Mexican state, year, and manufacturer.
As a result, in Folio 0000700176018, SEDENA released 8,200 pages of paper photocopies of receipts for firearms transferred to state and local police in Mexico from 2006 through 2018. Stop US Arms to Mexico, in collaboration with the Mexican Commission for the Defense and Promotion of Human Rights, scanned the receipts, entered the data in the database linked below, and reviewed it for consistency and accuracy to the extent possible. Munitions and accessories from the receipts are not included in the dataset. Some receipts did not name the agency receiving the arms. In addition, we have removed information on which municipalities received firearms and on firearm models, to address potential risks of disclosure.
Stop US Arms to Mexico makes this dataset available for public use. Changes made to the file by users after downloading it are the responsibility of those users. We request that those using the data cite it as: “Mexico Police Firearms Database, downloaded at www.stopusarmstomexico/police-firearms-database, based on documents released by SEDENA in response a public information request, Folio 0000700176018.”
Download Mexico Police Firearms Database 2006-2018
3. End Use Certificates for Firearms Exported to Mexico for Use by Police
In February 2020, Stop US Arms to Mexico submitted an information request to SEDENA for copies of end use certificates for the importation of firearms to Mexico since January 1, 2008 for which the end user was a law enforcement agency (federal, state or local). The request excluded the certificates submitted to the United States (which we requested separately). In Folio 0000700065520, SEDENA released 296 pages of copies end use certificates. Stop US Arms scanned the certificates and entered data into a dataset.
Stop US Arms to Mexico makes this dataset available for public use. Changes made to the file by users after downloading it are the responsibility of those users. We request that those using the data cite it as: “Mexico Police End Use Certificates Database, based on documents released by SEDENA in response a public information request, Folio 0000700065520, downloaded at www.stopusarmstomexico/police-firearms-database.”