Colombia’s New President Eases Gun Restrictions Amid Security Drive
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has signed a decree that relaxes the ban on carrying legally owned firearms in public.
The new regulation lifts a suspension that had been in force for ten years, allowing licensed gun owners to carry their weapons outside their homes without additional bureaucratic approval.
During his campaign, de la Espriella promised a hard‑line approach against crime, arguing that “criminals can be armed to the teeth while decent people cannot defend themselves.” The decree, however, reassures authorities that ownership restrictions remain stringent and that the government will continue to target illegal arms confiscation.
The law will bring almost 700,000 permit holders into a new category where they can openly carry their firearms, contingent on valid, up‑to‑date permits. The president highlighted that most seized firearms in 2026 already come from breakaway Farc rebel factions and the Gulf Clan, suggesting the measure will not dilute security efforts.
Critics, such as Green Alliance Party Senator Ariel Ávila, have labeled the decision a “grave error” and warned that legal weapons could inadvertently make their way to criminal networks.
The decree did not address potential spill‑over effects on environmental protection – a growing concern in Colombia where illegal armed groups frequently target wildlife reserves for hunting and trafficking. Environmental groups are monitoring how loosening gun laws might influence poaching and security around protected ecosystems.
Policy analysts note that while the new decree aligns with de la Espriella’s pledge to empower citizen security, it also challenges the balance between public safety and conservation interests. The impact on both crime rates and wildlife protection will likely unfold over the coming months as enforcement agencies adjust to the revised legal framework.
For more on Colombia’s evolving security policies, see our coverage on the president’s extradition regime and the ongoing fight against armed groups.
