President Abelardo de la Espriella has signed a decree that lifts a decade‑long suspension on carrying legally owned firearms in public. This move will affect nearly 700,000 permit holders, allowing them to take their registered guns out of home as long as permits remain current.
Critics argue the policy could feed criminals with legal arms, while supporters claim it balances public safety with the right to self‑defence. The president insists that stringent background checks and storage rules remain in force and that the change does not weaken overall security.
Under the law, even permit holders could not carry firearms without extra authorisation, a restriction introduced by former president Juan Manuel Santos in 2015. The new decree removes this extra hurdle, a restriction that with each presidential term was renewed by multiple administrations across the political spectrum. The announcement underscores a shift toward a tougher stance on crime while maintaining tight controls on gun ownership.
