Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has relaxed the country’s restrictions on carrying firearms, allowing citizens with valid permits to carry their registered weapons outside their homes without seeking additional government approval.
The new decree removes a general suspension that had prevented licensed gun owners from carrying their firearms beyond their residences.
Defending the decision, De la Espriella argued that responsible citizens should not be left unable to protect themselves while criminals continue to obtain and use illegal weapons.
The Colombian president stressed, however, that the measure should not be interpreted as unrestricted access to firearms. Existing laws and regulations governing the legal purchase, ownership and carrying of weapons will remain in place.
De la Espriella said the policy change was also a fulfilment of a promise he made during his presidential campaign, maintaining that he was committed to delivering on his electoral pledges.
The restriction dates back to December 2015, when then-President Juan Manuel Santos introduced the measure as a temporary security arrangement around the Christmas and New Year period.
Under the previous system, Colombians who legally owned firearms and possessed valid carry permits were still required to obtain additional authorisation before taking their weapons outside their homes.
The latest policy change could affect close to 700,000 Colombians who already possess legal permits to carry firearms, according to reports cited by Spanish newspaper El País.
With the new decree in effect, eligible permit holders can carry their registered firearms outside their homes until their existing permits expire.
The move has sparked criticism from some opposition politicians and security commentators.
Green Alliance Party Senator Ariel Ávila described the decision as a serious mistake, warning that legally owned firearms could eventually be diverted into criminal hands.
Ávila also challenged the idea of widespread civilian gun carrying, arguing that protecting citizens should primarily remain the responsibility of the Colombian state and its security agencies.
De la Espriella rejected suggestions that the new policy would necessarily increase insecurity. He pointed to ongoing government operations against the illegal firearms trade as evidence of efforts to tackle armed criminal activity.
According to the president, Colombian security forces have confiscated more than 15,000 illegal firearms so far this year.
He said many of the seized weapons were connected to armed groups and criminal organisations, including dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the Gulf Clan.
The policy change is expected to remain a subject of debate in Colombia, particularly over how the government can balance citizens’ right to lawful self-defence with concerns about gun violence, illegal weapons and public safety.
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