COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT ENDS DECADE-LONG RESTRICTION ON LEGAL FIREARM CARRYING
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By; Sunmola Ganiyat
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has signed a decree ending a decade-long restriction on the public carrying of legally owned firearms, fulfilling one of his campaign promises to take a tougher stance on crime.
The decree allows Colombians with valid permits to carry registered firearms to take their weapons outside their homes without obtaining additional authorisation.
According to reports, De la Espriella defended the decision, arguing that law-abiding citizens should have the means to protect themselves while criminals continue to possess illegal weapons.
He stressed, however, that the new policy did not mean unrestricted access to firearms, noting that existing regulations governing legal gun ownership would remain in effect.
The president said the decision was also a fulfilment of a commitment he made during his campaign, declaring that he was determined to keep his word to voters.
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.
However, the suspension was repeatedly renewed by Santos and his successors, Iván Duque and Gustavo Petro, despite their differing political orientations.
Under the previous policy, even individuals with valid firearm-carry permits were required to obtain additional authorisation before taking their weapons outside their residences.
Reports cited by Spanish newspaper El País indicate that the policy change could affect nearly 700,000 Colombians who already possess valid permits to carry firearms.
Those individuals will now be able to carry their registered weapons outside their homes for as long as their permits remain valid.
The decision has sparked criticism from some political figures, including Green Alliance Party Senator Ariel Ávila, who described the policy as a serious mistake.
Ávila argued that legally owned firearms could eventually end up in the hands of criminals and questioned the wisdom of allowing civilians to carry weapons.
He maintained that ensuring public safety should remain primarily the responsibility of the state.
De la Espriella dismissed concerns that the policy could worsen insecurity, insisting that security agencies would continue their crackdown on illegal firearms.
He disclosed that security forces had confiscated more than 15,000 illegal firearms so far in 2026, with many allegedly linked to breakaway factions of the Farc rebel group and the Gulf Clan criminal organisation.
The president maintained that the decree would retain existing safeguards for legal firearm ownership while granting authorised citizens greater ability to protect themselves.
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