In brief
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has signed a decree that relaxes a decade‑long ban on carrying legally issued firearms in public. The move is intended to allow permit holders to carry their weapons without extra authorization, a change the president says fulfills his campaign promise of a stronger protective stance for citizens. Critics warn that loosening the rule could let more guns end up in the hands of criminals. Amid these concerns, the executive stresses that ownership controls remain strict and that security forces continue to crack down on illegal arms, seizing thousands of firearms this year. The decree touches about 700,000 Colombians who currently hold valid gun‑carry permits.
President Abelardo de la Espriella has signed a decree easing restrictions on people carrying legal firearms in public, a change that could affect around 700,000 Colombians with valid permits.
The decree lifts a suspension that had been in force for a decade and had required permit holders to seek additional authorization before displaying their guns outside their homes.
During the signing ceremony, de la Espriella stated that the measure aligns with his campaign promise of protecting citizens while maintaining a strong security posture.
Critics, including Senator Ariel Ávila, argue that relaxing gun‑carry rules risks diverting legally issued weapons to criminals and that only state forces should be armed to guarantee public safety.
President de la Espriella counters that law‑enforcement units target illegal firearms, citing the seizure of over 15,000 weapons this year, many of which belong to breakaway factions of former rebel groups and criminal gangs.
The policy change is intended to allow legal gun owners to carry their weapons for self‑defense, reflecting a shift in Colombia’s approach to personal security.
This development comes amid ongoing debates over gun control and public safety, with the president asserting that the adjustments will not compromise national security.
For readers seeking more context, additional coverage can be found on related topics such as Colombia’s political climate and global gun control debates.
