In brief
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has signed a decree that relaxes a decade‑long suspension on carrying legal handguns in public. The move will affect about 700,000 licensed gun owners, allowing them to bring their registered firearms outside their homes without extra permits. De la Espriella maintains that gun ownership limits remain tight and that the decision is a fulfillment of his campaign pledge to empower citizens while cracking down on illegal arms. Critics, such as Green Alliance Party Senator Ariel Ávila, warn that the policy could lead criminals to acquire licensed weapons. The decree is a reversal of the temporary ban introduced by former President Juan Manuel Santos in 2015, which had been extended by subsequent administrations.
Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has signed a decree that eases restrictions on people carrying legal firearms in public.
During his campaign he pledged a tough stance on crime and said it was unfair that criminals were armed while ordinary citizens could not defend themselves. The decree lifts a suspension that had been in force since 2015, which even allowed permit holders to carry guns only with additional authorization.
De la Espriella assured voters that the law would not turn Colombia into an open‑fireshop and that strict controls over who can own a gun would remain. By signing the decree he claimed he had kept his promise, emphasizing his integrity as a leader.
The original restriction was introduced by former President Juan Manuel Santos in December 2015 for Christmas‑New Year security and was gradually extended by each succeeding administration, including conservative Iván Duque and left‑wing Gustavo Petro.
Under the old law, licensed owners could not take their guns out of home unless they applied for and received extra authorisation. The new decree removes that barrier for almost 700 000 people with valid permits, letting them carry their weapons when needed.
Green Alliance Party Senator Ariel Ávila criticized the move as a grave error, arguing that only state forces should carry weapons. He warned that the decision could let criminals acquire licensed firearms.
President de la Espriella countered that law‑enforcement units are actively targeting illegal guns and have seized more than 15,000 firearms this year. He added that most seized weapons belong to breakaway factions of the former Farc rebel group and the Gulf Clan criminal gang.
