Colombia’s New President Repeals Firearm Carry Restrictions

Wed Sep 09 2026 15:23:57 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Abelardo de la Espriella lifts a decade‑long ban that kept licensed citizens from carrying guns in public, citing the need for self‑defence.

President Abelardo de la Espriella signed a decree that ends a long‑standing ban on legally carrying firearms in public, freeing up almost 700,000 permit holders. The move echoes his campaign promise of a tough‑on‑crime stance, while he argues the restriction was never meant to be permanent. Critics warn that loosening controls could push guns into criminal hands, but the president counters that strict ownership limits remain and that law enforcement continues to seize illegal weapons. The decree maintains tight controls on gun ownership and claims it will not compromise public safety.

Colombia’s new president has signed a decree that loosens restrictions on citizens carrying legal firearms in public for the first time in 11 years.

The decree removes a suspension imposed in December 2015 by former President Juan Manuel Santos, which had been extended each year by his successors until now. Under the previous rule, even permit holders could not take their registered guns out of their homes without extra authorization. De la Espriella states that the ban was never intended to be permanent and that his action fulfills his campaign promise of an iron‑fist approach to crime while restoring the right of self‑defence for law‑abiding citizens.

According to El País, the decree will affect roughly 700,000 Colombians who already possess a legal gun‑carry permit and will now be allowed to retrieve their firearms from their homes as long as the permits remain up to date.

Reaction from opposition groups is mixed.

Green Alliance Party Senator Ariel Ávila called the move a “grave error”, arguing that legally held guns are likely to end up in the hands of criminals and that only state‑controlled armed forces should exist to guarantee security. De la Espriella counters that the measure will not unduly affect public safety and that law enforcement is actively targeting illegal firearms, with over 15,000 guns seized this year. Most of the seized firearms belong to members of dissident factions of the former FARC rebel group and the Gulf criminal gang.

“A man’s word is his honour,” the president said during the decree signing, stressing that his policy reflects a commitment to keep promises made to voters. He pledged strict oversight of gun ownership to mitigate risks associated with the new freedom to carry firearms in public.