Colombia's President De La Espriella Eases Gun Carry Rules
President Abelardo de la Espriella has signed a decree lifting a decade-long suspension on carrying legal firearms in public, affecting nearly 700,000
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has signed a decree easing restrictions on carrying legal firearms in public. The move lifts a suspension in force since December 2015, meaning the nearly 700,000 people with a legal carry permit no longer need additional authorization to take their registered gun outside their home.
De la Espriella, who campaigned on an iron-fist approach to crime, signed the decree on August 27. He stated it was "not right that criminals are armed to the teeth while decent people can't defend themselves." The president framed the action as fulfilling a campaign promise, declaring, "A man's word is his honour, and I have honour, that's why I keep my word."
Reversing a Decade of Policy
The restriction was originally imposed as a temporary security measure for the Christmas and New Year period by then-President Juan Manuel Santos. It was subsequently renewed yearly by Santos and his two successors from across the political spectrum: conservative Iván Duque and left-wing Gustavo Petro. Under that rule, even permit holders could not legally carry their firearm in public without applying for and receiving extra authorization. De la Espriella has insisted his decree simply removes a restriction never intended to be permanent.
Scope and Immediate Impact
The decree directly affects approximately 700,000 Colombians who already possess a legal permit to carry a gun. They can now take their registered weapon out in public, provided their permits remain valid and up to date. The president stressed this would not create a free-for-all, asserting that tight controls over who can initially own a gun remain firmly in place.
Security Debate and Criticism
The move has sparked immediate controversy. Green Alliance Party Senator Ariel Ávila described it as a "grave error." He argued that legally held guns would inevitably end up in the hands of criminals. Ávila insisted an ethical dilemma is created, maintaining that only state forces should carry guns and act as guarantors of public security.
In response, President de la Espriella insisted the measure would not harm national security. He said state forces are focusing on illegal weapons, having seized more than 15,000 firearms so far this year. The president claimed most of those seized weapons belonged to members of breakaway factions of the former Farc rebel group and the Gulf Clan criminal gang.
