Colombia Lifts Decade-Long Restrictions On Legal Gun Carrying

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has signed a decree lifting a decade-long restriction on the public carrying of legally owned firearms, fulfilling a campaign promise to take a tougher approach to crime.

According to the BBC, the new decree allows Colombians who hold valid permits for registered firearms to carry their weapons outside their homes without seeking additional authorisation.

Defending the policy, De la Espriella said law-abiding citizens should not be left defenceless while criminals continue to possess illegal weapons.

The president, however, stressed that the move does not amount to unrestricted access to firearms, as existing regulations governing legal ownership and possession will remain in place.

He said the decision also fulfils a promise made during his presidential campaign, declaring that he had kept his word to the Colombian people.

The restriction was first introduced in December 2015 by then-President Juan Manuel Santos as a temporary security measure during the Christmas and New Year period.

However, the suspension was renewed annually by successive administrations, including those of Iván Duque and Gustavo Petro.

Under the previous arrangement, even citizens with valid firearm-carry permits were barred from taking their weapons outside their homes without obtaining additional approval.

Reports cited by Spanish newspaper El País indicate that the policy change could affect nearly 700,000 Colombians who already hold legal firearm permits.

The decision has nevertheless attracted criticism from some political figures.

Green Alliance Party Senator Ariel Ávila described the policy as a “grave error,”warning that legally owned weapons could eventually fall into the hands of criminals.

Ávila also argued that guaranteeing citizens’ security should remain the responsibility of the state rather than civilians carrying firearms.

De la Espriella rejected concerns that the measure could worsen insecurity, saying security agencies would continue to crack down on illegal firearms.

He said authorities had seized more than 15,000 illegal firearms so far this year, many of which were reportedly linked to breakaway factions of the FARC rebel group and the Gulf Clan criminal organisation.

The president maintained that the new policy would retain controls over legal firearm ownership while giving authorised citizens greater ability to defend themselves.