In brief
In a move that harks back to his campaign pledge of a hard‑on‑crime stance, Colombia’s new president has eased one of the country's toughest gun‑control measures. The decree removes a suspension that had barred legally‑permitted owners from carrying weapons outside their homes without extra permission. Roughly 700,000 citizens will now be able to take their registered firearms to the street. While the change is welcomed by pro‑law‑enforcement supporters, critics warn the relaxation could blur the lines between legitimate self‑defence and potential criminal use. De la Espriella stresses that strict licensing and ownership controls will remain in place.
President Abelardo de la Espriella has signed a decree that lifts a longstanding restriction that prevented people with legal firearm permits from carrying guns in public. The move comes after the former campaign promise that the new administration would be tough on crime.
The decree ends a suspension imposed in December 2015 that had required holders of a carrying permit to seek additional authorisation. Roughly 700,000 Colombian citizens who already hold a valid permit will now be able to take their registered weapons out of their homes, provided licences remain current.
While the law will still enforce strict conditions for ownership, the president said the change would "not create a free‑for‑all" and that law‑enforcing agencies remain vigilant. He pointed to crack‑downs that have already seized more than 15,000 illegal firearms, many linked to factions of the FARC rebel group and the Gulf Clan gang.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Green Alliance Party Senator Ariel Ávila, who labels the move a grave error and warns that legally owned guns could ultimately end up in criminal hands. Law‑enforcement officials argue that state forces must be the primary custodians of public safety.
The policy comes as Colombia navigates its new president’s broader strategy to curb violence, while his administration ratifies extradition requests for rebel leaders and amid continued cooperation with international partners.
Source: BBC News, 9 September 2026
