Bogotá (EFE).- The Colombian government lifted the general suspension on permits to carry firearms on Tuesday, as President Abelardo de la Espriella argued that the previous restriction put law-abiding citizens at a disadvantage compared to criminals.
«During the campaign, I said I was going to lift the suspension on permits to carry firearms. It’s not right that criminals are armed to the teeth while decent people can’t defend themselves,” he said in a video posted on his social media accounts.
De la Espriella confirmed to viewers that this does not mean the indiscriminate carrying of firearms. Rather, he said, controls, requirements, and permits issued by the relevant authorities will remain in place.
«What is ending is the general suspension that turned the ban into the rule,» added De la Espriella, who argued that «Colombia’s security cannot continue to be built by disarming law-abiding citizens while leaving criminals armed.»
The measure lifts a suspension that prevented holders of valid permits from carrying weapons without additional authorization, and restores the validity of those permits. However, it does not authorize carrying weapons when permits have expired, been suspended, cancelled or revoked, nor when there is a legal or judicial prohibition.
The decree, which will take effect on Wednesday, orders military authorities to take the necessary measures to reinstate valid individual permits.
Between Jan. 1 and Sep. 3, 2026, authorities seized 15,700 firearms, 14,179 of which were linked to crimes, the president stated.
De la Espriella stated that 980 of those weapons were linked to FARC dissident groups, 551 to the Clan del Golfo, the country’s largest criminal gang, and 339 to the National Liberation Army guerrilla group.
«That is the firepower that the state must pursue and destroy,» said the president, who promised that authorities would «take away» illegal weapons «from criminals.»EFE
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