Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has enacted a decree that relaxes regulations governing the public carrying of legally owned firearms. The measure fulfills a campaign commitment the president made regarding a tougher stance on crime, with de la Espriella stating that the change would allow law-abiding citizens to protect themselves while criminals remain heavily armed.
The decree eliminates a suspension that had been in place for ten years. Although individuals possessed permits authorizing firearm ownership, the suspension prevented them from carrying these weapons outside their homes without obtaining separate authorization. De la Espriella characterized the previous restriction as never having been intended as a permanent policy and argued that maintaining it was inconsistent with public safety objectives.
The original carrying restriction was implemented by then-President Juan Manuel Santos in December 2015 as a temporary security measure during year-end holidays. Successive administrations representing different political viewpoints—conservative Iván Duque and left-wing Gustavo Petro—extended the suspension annually. De la Espriella’s decree now permits approximately 700,000 existing permit holders to carry their registered firearms in public, provided their permits remain current.
The president emphasized that the decree would not eliminate existing controls over firearm ownership and that security would not be compromised. He noted that authorities have confiscated over 15,000 illegal firearms in recent months, primarily from breakaway Farc rebel factions and the Gulf Clan criminal organization.
Opposition to the measure exists within Colombia’s political establishment. Green Alliance Party Senator Ariel Ávila characterized the policy change as a significant mistake, contending that legally held weapons could be diverted to criminal elements and arguing that security responsibility should remain exclusively with state forces.
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