US Marine in Mexico Jail

[bwhite1948]

I am in the US visiting family and this story is getting a lot of attention.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/13/us/mexico-jailed-marine/index.html

[AlanMexicali]

It was in all the Mexican news yesterday also.

http://www.despertardetamaulipas.com/nota/98997

[cbviajero]

There are huge signs at the border that warn you not to take firearms into Mexico.

[luisa]

Why would anyone think they could bring a gun into a foreign country? I am very, very sorry for this young man and his family, but he showed bad judgement and a lack of understanding about how the world works.

[The world's best climate]

yes, he had to check the rules here, before bringing the firearm. Some US people think that they can do whatever they want here, then they want to have total silence here, they start complaining about cuetes, about music, they get angry because the instructions are in Spanish, some of them think they can impose their rules here.

[Intercasa]

He messed up and then probably got bad attorneys who took his money and did nothing. Poor guy, NEVER cross any border with drugs, whether legal or not or weapons or you are in for trouble.

[bwhite1948]

This part of the story is most troubling; it's not like he didn't ASK about the antique gun:

"At the Brownsville Port of Entry, Hammar told U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents that he was carrying a shotgun, a Sears & Roebuck model that once belonged to his great-grandfather.

The agent allowed Hammar to proceed, allegedly telling him the old gun shouldnt pose a problem at the Mexican checkpoint.

Acting with transparency at the Mexican border, Hammar again presented the gun for registration, but he and McDonough were immediately taken into custody.

His family and U.S. lawmakers have questioned why Hammar wasnt turned back at the Mexican border and how the U.S. Customs and Border Protection official gave the young ex-Marines such erroneous information."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ex-marine-jailed-mexico-gun-charge-concerned-attention-article-1.1219551#ixzz2FEE2xbj0

[RVGRINGO]

That's one version of the story. Another is that the weapon was found when the motor home was inspected.

The claim that US border agents said that he shouldn't worry is rather doubtfull, I think.

Also, there are those very obvious signs which warn against taking firearms into Mexico.

Then: Why a sawed off shotgun? That's illegal anywhere.

[FHBOY]

1. How does a former Marine (there is no such thing as an ex-Marine) with diagnosed PTSD get a shotgun? - No he didn't buy it, so the US Government is not to blame.
2. How does his mother allow a former Marine with PTSD to take a working shotgun with him? - Is it too much to expect, even a parent of an adult child, to assume some responsibility know that his/her child has a history of a mental illness?
3. How does a former Marine, who is used to taking orders and following instruction without question think that instructions from a foreign government into whose country he is are invalid for him? Can he believe because he served honorably in the armed forces - and for that we owe him thanks - rules do not apply to him?
4. How does he (or anyone else) feel that he deserves special treatment in his punishment for breaking the laws of a foreign country? What is the argument to be used for that?

Opinion: I feel bad for this young soldier, but I do not feel he deserves any special treatment. He broke the law, a law that was clearly stated, and he should face the responsibility of his actions. I can be reasonably sure that USAers who are really annoyed about the law breaking that takes place by diplomats and diplomatic workers in the USA who are against giving them no quarter, have jumped the fence for this former Marine...but you cannot have it both ways.

Too bad for him, feel sorry for his mother, but...

[luisa]

1. How does a former Marine (there is no such thing as an ex-Marine) with diagnosed PTSD get a shotgun? - No he didn't buy it, so the US Government is not to blame.

2. How does his mother allow a former Marine with PTSD to take a working shotgun with him? - Is it too much to expect, even a parent of an adult child, to assume some responsibility know that his/her child has a history of a mental illness?

3. How does a former Marine, who is used to taking orders and following instruction without question think that instructions from a foreign government into whose country he is are invalid for him? Can he believe because he served honorably in the armed forces - and for that we owe him thanks - rules do not apply to him?

4. How does he (or anyone else) feel that he deserves special treatment in his punishment for breaking the laws of a foreign country? What is the argument to be used for that?

Opinion: I feel bad for this young soldier, but I do not feel he deserves any special treatment. He broke the law, a law that was clearly stated, and he should face the responsibility of his actions. I can be reasonably sure that USAers who are really annoyed about the law breaking that takes place by diplomats and diplomatic workers in the USA who are against giving them no quarter, have jumped the fence for this former Marine...but you cannot have it both ways.

Too bad for him, feel sorry for his mother, but...

Thank you. I agree with the posting and I'll add one more:

Why would someone ask a US border agent what the law was in Mexico? If the agent really gave that answer he was acting irresponsibly, but still, he is not the legal representative of Mexico.

[paradise]

horrible situation.....it could happen to anyone. Its legal to import hunting weaponts that are registered through the Mexican department.

The problem is that it takes Weeks and you better know what you are doing.

I shure hope the u.s. gov. Gets this young man out soon!!!!!!!

[baxter6]

I find some these replies just incredidible,

1-he's PTSD so his mother and father allowow him to

carry a shotgun HELLO get the picture yet.

2- he is a surfer why the gun?

3-now O'reilly is calling for a Mexican boycott of all U.S.visitors

until he's released.

4- someone should explain to these so called journalists

that he will be held until provan innocent.

5- he has just threatened Mexico to release this fool or

else what a buffoon

[Xcalaker]

Baxter..

1.) the dude is 27 years old and the gun was HIS! Probably EVERY soldier that has EVER seen combat has PTSD to some degree.

2.) surfers can hunt (in a free world anyway)

3.) 'Oreilly IS overreacting.

4.) moot point. Dec 21, 2012

5.) see #3

Look, one CAN bring a firearm, particularly a shotgun, into Mexico. One just needs go through the right procedures. I think Hammar tried to do that but it didn't work out for him. Practicality dictates that a single shot .410 is NOT a crime weapon de rigueur. I also don't believe he had any criminal or even malicious intent. He just screwed up. Fine him and let him go.

It's all moot now anyway because (news this AM) a judge has already freed him.

[Fred Habacht]

He is being released and will be allowed to return home by the end of the day. A US Congressman appealed to the Mexican ambassador and the request was granted.

[schraderone]

I have family in the states who have been legally bringing firearms into MEXICO for decades. Mexico

does isuue permits for deer hunters to bring in thier guns and Mexican landowners make a fortune

charging fees to the hunters. This Marine cleared his antique, small gauge shotgun with U.S. customs

and then honestly and openly asked the Mexicans for a legal permit. Instead of simply sending him and

his small shotgun back across the bridge to the states, they arrest him and chain him to a bed. The

reason being that still another, corrupt excuse for a Mexican official(s) saw an opportunity to extort the

family for MONEY. This man served his Country as required, in the U.S. Marine Corp. but developed

PSTD as a result of his service.

To defend Mexican authorities for thier abuse of this man goes beyond my imagination. Notice..that only

when U.S. senators began to call for a boycott against Mexico (loss of Money) The Marine is suddenly

innocent and is being released. The Mexican officials who arrested and chained this man to a bed should

find thier sorry selves in prison for it, but dont expect that to happen.

Seems to me that some of you have forgotten that it was the shed blood of Marines like this man, who

kept you and your children and your grandchildren free for decades, how quickly you do forget.

[cbviajero]

Must be nice to have a media savvy mom to bail you out when you do stupid things and break other country's laws.

[CocinaMod]

Since none of us know the FACTS in this case, and I personally don't like the tone of this thread, I'm shutting it down.

Don't blame the other moderators - this call is MINE.