Colombia, ban on carrying weapons for citizens lifted

The president of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, has revoked the rule that prevented ordinary citizens from applying for and obtaining weapons licenses.

According to the head of state, the measure serves to allow "honest people" who respect the law to defend themselves from criminals "armed to the teeth". Citizens will then be able to request authorization to carry firearms again, in compliance with rigorous requirements and controls. The head of state clarified that it is not a question of authorizing the indiscriminate carrying of weapons, but of eliminating the general ban, recalling that he promised during the electoral campaign to revoke the rule.

The suspension was introduced in 2015 by the government of Juan Manuel Santos and renewed every year by subsequent presidents, also in light of the reduction in violent deaths caused by firearms, especially during fights and arguments. In fact, Colombia remains a country in which personal conflicts frequently lead to violence.