Colombia’s new president—Abelardo de la Espriella—has formally lifted a decade‑long restriction on carrying legally‑owned firearms in public. The decree follows his pledge during the election campaign that criminals had more guns than ordinary citizens.
Under last year’s law, permit holders could only take their weapon out of their homes if they applied for a separate authorisation. De la Espriella’s decree means those with a valid, up‑to‑date permit can now carry the gun out under normal circumstances, affecting about 700,000 people nationwide.
The ban was originally introduced by former President Juan Manuel Santos in December 2015 as a temporary measure for the Christmas and New Year holidays, but it has been extended annually by four different presidents from both ends of the political spectrum.
Opposition Senator Ariel Ávila slammed the decree as “a grave error,” arguing that only state forces should wield firearms and that loosening the rule risks handing weapons to criminal groups. De la Espriella defended the change by citing aggressive police work that has seized more than 15 000 illegal guns, largely linked to former rebel factions.
The move marks a significant policy shift in Colombia’s long‑running debate about gun control, personal security and public safety. It could change how citizens feel protected, while critics warn it may give criminals more access to arms.
