Colombia's new president loosens gun control rules
Summary
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella signed a decree allowing people with legal gun permits to carry their firearms in public again. This ends a ban that started in 2015, which had stopped even permit holders from carrying guns outside their homes without extra permission.Key Facts
- The decree removes a decade-old suspension that restricted carrying legal guns in public.
- The original ban was introduced by President Juan Manuel Santos in 2015 as a temporary safety measure.
- The suspension was extended yearly by three different presidents from different political parties.
- About 700,000 people with legal permits will benefit from the new decree.
- President de la Espriella said the rule change will not cause a gun free-for-all and that gun ownership rules remain strict.
- Some politicians, like Senator Ariel Ávila, oppose the change, fearing legal guns could end up with criminals.
- Security forces are focusing on illegal weapons, having seized over 15,000 guns this year mainly from rebel groups and criminal gangs.
- The president said this action fulfills his campaign promise to be tough on crime.
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