Baja California Sur officially joined Mexico’s national voluntary gun surrender program on April 30 in La Paz. The state is now part of the “Sí al Desarme, Sí a la Paz” (Yes to Disarmament, Yes to Peace) initiative, which allows residents to turn in firearms anonymously in exchange for cash, with no questions asked and no criminal investigation triggered.
The federal program is led by President Claudia Sheinbaum and operated by SEDENA, the Secretariat of National Defense. It was launched nationally in January 2025, starting in Mexico City before expanding to states with high rates of violence, including Guanajuato, Baja California, Tabasco, and Guerrero. BCS is now among the participating states.
How the Program Works
Residents can bring firearms to designated collection points and surrender them without providing identification or facing legal consequences. In return, participants receive cash compensation. The amount depends on the type of weapon turned in. All collected firearms are destroyed immediately after collection.
The program also accepts toy guns designed to resemble real weapons. Children who turn in war toys receive educational materials in exchange. Collection points across the country have been set up in churches of various faiths, though specific BCS locations have not yet been announced publicly.
State Officials Call for Participation
Jorge Joel Cota Ruíz, speaking on behalf of Governor Víctor Manuel Castro Cosío, represented the state government at the April 30 launch event. He called on all residents of Baja California Sur to participate voluntarily. Cota Ruíz said building peace requires active participation from the public, with a focus on prevention and protecting families.
State authorities framed the effort as part of a broader public security strategy. The goal is to reduce the number of firearms kept in homes, where they can pose accidental injury risks or be stolen and used in crimes. The program’s anonymity guarantee is designed to remove the main barrier for anyone holding an unregistered weapon.
What BCS Residents Should Know
Mexico’s gun laws are strict. Only one store in the entire country, operated by SEDENA in Mexico City, legally sells firearms. Possessing an unregistered weapon carries serious penalties. This program offers a legal, penalty-free path to dispose of any firearms without risk of prosecution.
For foreign residents, the program is particularly relevant. Non-Mexican nationals face even tighter restrictions on firearm possession. The anonymous, no-questions-asked format applies to all participants regardless of nationality.
Originally reported by BCS Noticias.