This Tuesday, the Government of Colombia ended the general suspension of permits to carry firearms in the country
The measure was announced by the right-wing president Abelardo de la Espriella, who emphasized that citizens who comply with the regulations will have guarantees within the legal framework
The president communicated the decision through his official X account and stated that in recent years the restrictions had affected those who respect the law, while criminal groups continued to access weapons illegally
“I signed the decree that lifts the general suspension of permits to carry firearms in Colombia. For years, the law-abiding citizen was restricted while criminals continued to arm themselves illegally to the teeth. That has to change,” the president indicated
According to figures released by the head of state, security forces seized 15,700 firearms between January 1 and September 3, 2026. Of that total, 14,179 were related to the commission of crimes
“The figures show where the real threat lies: between January 1 and September 3, our Public Force seized 15,700 firearms. Of these, 14,179 were related to the commission of crimes,” he pointed out
The president also detailed the connection of some of those weapons with illegal armed organizations. He indicated that 980 were related to dissidents, 551 to the Gulf Clan, and 339 to the ELN
Abelardo de la Espriella
“Additionally, 980 weapons are linked to dissidents, 551 to the Gulf Clan, and 339 to the ELN. Among those associated with the dissidents, we found 380 rifles and 65 mortars of 60 millimeters. That is the firepower that the State must pursue and destroy,” he noted
De la Espriella emphasized that the decree does not imply indiscriminate carrying of weapons. Permits will continue to be subject to requirements and the authorization of the competent authorities, while established controls remain in place
“Let it be clear: this does NOT mean indiscriminate carrying. Strict controls, requirements, and permits from the competent authorities remain in place. What ends is the general suspension that turned the prohibition into a rule,” he expressed
The president also stated that the new provision seeks to guarantee within the law for those who comply with the rules and concentrate state action on the real criminals
“To the law-abiding citizen, guarantees within the law. To the illegally armed criminal, the full weight of the law and all the legitimate force of the State,” he affirmed
In that line, he concluded: “We are going to take illegal weapons away from criminals. The security of Colombia cannot continue to be built by disarming the law-abiding citizen and leaving the bandits armed,” asserted the head of state
