Colombian president lifts decade-long gun-carrying restrictions

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Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has signed a decree lifting a decade-long restriction on the public carrying of legally owned firearms, fulfilling a campaign promise to adopt a tougher approach to crime.

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According to the BBC on Wednesday, under the new decree, Colombians who already hold valid permits to carry registered firearms will be able to take their weapons outside their homes without seeking additional authorisation.

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De la Espriella defended the measure, saying law-abiding citizens should not be left unable to defend themselves while criminals remain armed.

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“It is not right that criminals are armed to the teeth while decent people can’t defend themselves,” the president said.

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He stressed, however, that the decree would not amount to unrestricted access to firearms, saying existing controls governing who can legally own a gun would remain in place.

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While signing the decree, De la Espriella also said the move fulfilled a commitment he made during his presidential campaign.

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“A man’s word is his honour, and I have honour, that’s why I keep my word,” he said.

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The restriction was introduced in December 2015 by then-President Juan Manuel Santos as a temporary measure intended to improve security during the Christmas and New Year period.

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However, the suspension was subsequently extended every year by Santos and his successors, Iván Duque and Gustavo Petro, despite their differing political positions.

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Under the previous arrangement, even people with valid firearm-carry permits were prohibited from taking their weapons outside their homes unless they obtained additional authorisation.

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According to reports cited by Spanish newspaper _El País_, the change could affect nearly 700,000 Colombians who already hold legal permits to carry firearms.

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They will be permitted to carry their registered weapons outside their homes as long as their permits remain valid.

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The decision has, however, drawn criticism from some political figures.

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Green Alliance Party Senator Ariel Ávila described the move as a “grave error”, arguing that legally owned firearms could eventually fall into the hands of criminals.

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Ávila also raised concerns about the principle of allowing civilians to carry weapons, arguing that the state should remain responsible for guaranteeing citizens’ security.

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De la Espriella rejected concerns that the policy would worsen insecurity, saying security forces were continuing to target illegal firearms.

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He said authorities had seized more than 15,000 illegal firearms so far this year, with many of the weapons reportedly belonging to members of breakaway factions of the Farc rebel group and the Gulf Clan criminal organisation.

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The president maintained that the new policy would preserve controls over legal firearm ownership while giving authorised citizens greater ability to defend themselves.

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