A man identified as Fernando “N” was formally charged in Cabo San Lucas after allegedly firing a handgun without a license in the Altos de Miranda neighborhood, according to local authorities.
Municipal police responded after the city’s C2 emergency dispatch center received reports of an armed individual discharging a weapon in the residential area. Officers located and detained Fernando at the scene, seizing a handgun and 38 live cartridges.
Charges Filed Under Federal Firearms Law
A control judge issued a formal linkage to process, the Mexican legal equivalent of being formally charged. The case falls under the Federal Law of Firearms and Explosives (Ley Federal de Armas de Fuego y Explosivos), which governs the possession and use of weapons across Mexico.
The judge set a two-month window for complementary investigation, during which prosecutors will gather additional evidence. No precautionary measures, such as pretrial detention or travel restrictions, were imposed against the suspect. Under Mexican law, Fernando remains presumed innocent until a conviction is reached.
Mexico’s Strict Firearms Regulations
Firearms are legal in Mexico but heavily regulated. Citizens must obtain permits through the Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (SEDENA), the country’s defense ministry, and the approval process can take months or even years. Applicants must demonstrate a legitimate reason for gun ownership. Carrying a firearm in public without proper authorization is a federal offense that can carry multi-year prison sentences.
Altos de Miranda is a residential neighborhood located in the hills above central Cabo San Lucas, away from the tourist corridor. The area is home primarily to working-class families and local residents.
No injuries were reported in connection with the incident, and authorities have not released further details about what prompted the shooting.
This story was first reported by Colectivo Pericú.