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.

Under the new policy, Colombians who already possess valid permits to carry registered firearms will be allowed to take their weapons outside their homes without obtaining additional authorisation.

De la Espriella defended the decision, arguing that law-abiding citizens should have the ability to protect themselves while criminals continue to possess illegal weapons.

“It is not right that criminals are armed to the teeth while decent people can’t defend themselves,” the president said.

However, he stressed that the decree does not introduce unrestricted access to firearms.

Existing requirements governing the legal ownership and registration of guns will remain in place, meaning only authorised individuals will be permitted to carry them.

The president said the decision was also a fulfilment of a commitment he made during his election campaign.

“A man’s word is his honour, and I have honour, that’s why I keep my word,” he said while signing the decree.

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

Instead of being allowed to expire, the restriction was repeatedly extended by successive administrations, including those of Iván Duque and Gustavo Petro.

Under the previous rules, even people with valid firearm-carry permits were generally prohibited from taking their weapons outside their homes without securing additional approval.

Reports cited by Spanish newspaper El País suggest the policy change could affect nearly 700,000 Colombians who already hold legal permits to carry firearms.

They will now be able to carry their registered weapons in public, provided their permits remain valid and they comply with existing regulations.

The decision has attracted criticism from some political figures and security advocates.

Green Alliance Senator Ariel Ávila described the move as a serious mistake, warning that legally owned firearms could potentially end up in the hands of criminals.

Ávila also questioned whether expanding civilian access to firearms would improve public safety, arguing that protecting citizens should remain primarily the responsibility of the state and its security forces.

De la Espriella rejected the criticism, saying the government would continue its efforts to confiscate illegal weapons and dismantle armed criminal groups.

He said security forces had seized more than 15,000 illegal firearms so far this year.

According to the president, many of the recovered weapons were linked to members of breakaway factions of the Farc rebel group and the Gulf Clan criminal organisation.

The government maintains that the new policy is aimed at giving authorised citizens greater ability to defend themselves while preserving controls over legal firearm ownership.

The change marks a significant shift in Colombia’s firearms policy after more than a decade of restrictions and is likely to fuel further debate over civilian gun ownership, public safety and the government’s responsibility for protecting citizens.

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