De la Espriella Lifts Colombia’s General Suspension on Carrying Guns

Colombia’s government has lifted the general suspension on permits to carry firearms, a move President Abelardo de la Espriella defended by saying law-abiding citizens should not be left at a disadvantage to criminals.

“During the campaign I said I would lift the suspension of permits to carry weapons. It is not right that criminals are armed to the teeth while decent people cannot defend themselves,” De la Espriella said in a video posted on social media.

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During the campaign I said I would lift the suspension of permits to carry weapons. It is not right that criminals are armed to the teeth while decent people cannot defend themselves.

The president stressed that the decision does not authorize indiscriminate carrying. Controls, requirements and permits issued by the competent authorities remain in force. “What ends is the general suspension that turned the prohibition into the rule,” he said, adding that Colombia’s security could not be built by disarming citizens who obey the law while leaving criminals armed.

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What ends is the general suspension that turned the prohibition into the rule.

The measure restores the validity of current permits, but does not authorize carrying firearms when permits have expired, been suspended, canceled or revoked. It also does not apply where a legal or judicial prohibition exists. The decree takes effect Wednesday and orders military authorities to restore the effectiveness of valid individual permits.

De la Espriella said authorities seized 15,700 firearms between Jan. 1 and Sept. 3, of which 14,179 were linked to crimes. He said 980 were connected to FARC dissidents, 551 to the Clan del Golfo and 339 to the National Liberation Army, or ELN. “That is the firepower the state must pursue and destroy,” he said, promising that authorities would take illegal weapons away from criminals.

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That is the firepower the state must pursue and destroy.