Colombia's Abelardo de la Espriella Ends Ten-Year Public Firearm Carry Ban

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has officially signed an executive order, effectively ending a public restriction on carrying legally owned firearms that has been in place for ten years. This move fulfills a key promise from his presidential campaign, where he advocated for a more stringent stance against criminal activities.

According to reports from the BBC on Wednesday, the newly signed decree means that Colombian citizens who possess valid permits for registered firearms will now be able to carry their weapons outside their residences without needing to obtain additional authorization. President De la Espriella defended this policy shift, arguing that law-abiding individuals should not be left defenseless when criminals are heavily armed. He stated, “It is not right that criminals are armed to the teeth while decent people can’t defend themselves.”

The President, however, emphasized that this decree does not grant unrestricted access to firearms. He assured the public that the existing regulations governing who can legally own a gun will remain fully in effect. While signing the order, De la Espriella reiterated his commitment, stating, “A man’s word is his honour, and I have honour, that’s why I keep my word.”

The initial restriction was put in place in December 2015 by the then-President Juan Manuel Santos. It was intended as a temporary measure to enhance security during the Christmas and New Year festivities. Despite this, the ban was extended annually by Santos and his successors, Iván Duque and Gustavo Petro, irrespective of their differing political ideologies.

Under the previous system, even individuals with legitimate firearm-carry permits were prohibited from taking their weapons outside their homes unless they secured extra permission. Data cited by the Spanish newspaper _El País_ suggests that this policy alteration could impact close to 700,000 Colombians who currently hold legal firearm permits. These individuals will now be allowed to carry their registered weapons publicly, provided their permits remain valid.

However, the decision has attracted criticism from some political figures. Senator Ariel Ávila of the Green Alliance Party labeled the move a “grave error,” expressing concerns that legally owned firearms could eventually end up in the hands of criminals. Ávila also questioned the fundamental principle of allowing civilians to carry weapons, asserting that the state bears the sole responsibility for ensuring the safety of its citizens.

President De la Espriella dismissed fears that the policy would exacerbate insecurity. He highlighted ongoing efforts by security forces to combat illegal firearms, noting that authorities have confiscated over 15,000 illegal weapons this year alone. Many of these seized arms are reportedly linked to splinter groups of the Farc rebels and the notorious Gulf Clan criminal organization. The President maintained that the new policy would uphold controls over legal firearm ownership while empowering authorized citizens with an improved capacity for self-defense.