Omanghana
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has signed a decree ending the country’s decade-long general suspension on permits allowing civilians to carry firearms.
The decree repeals a temporary restriction introduced in December 2015 and renewed annually by successive governments. Under the previous policy, people with valid firearm permits were generally prohibited from carrying weapons outside their homes unless they secured exceptional authorization from the government.
The new measure does not grant unrestricted access to firearms or allow every citizen to carry a weapon. Existing legal requirements governing firearm purchases, background checks, weapon registration and the issuance of carry permits will remain in force.
About 700,000 Colombians who already possess valid legal carry permits are expected to benefit directly from the policy change. They will now be permitted to carry their registered firearms in public without applying for additional special authorization.
President de la Espriella said the decision fulfilled a campaign promise to strengthen the right of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves.
He maintained that legally qualified firearm owners should be allowed to exercise that right while the country’s security agencies concentrate on confiscating illegal weapons held by criminal organizations and guerrilla groups.
The policy represents a significant shift in Colombia’s approach to civilian firearm regulation after nearly a decade of nationwide restrictions. However, authorities have stressed that legal safeguards and eligibility requirements will continue to apply to anyone seeking to purchase or carry a firearm.
Source: Omanghana
