The National Government has formalized a long-awaited measure for the sport shooting sector and legitimate firearms users: the authorization for the purchase and possession of conditionally civilian-use semiautomatic rifles. The decision, published in the Official Gazette, marks a paradigm shift in firearms control and oversight policy in Argentina, replacing the previous ban with a strictly regulated permit system.
The resolution, promoted by the National Ministry of Security, places the full implementation of National Firearms and Explosives Law No. 20,429 and its supplementary regulations under the jurisdiction of the National Firearms Registry (RENAR). With this measure, Javier Milei's Government is moving forward in consolidating a more efficient, technical, and transparent control framework, seeking to reconcile the responsible exercise of individual rights with public safety.
As of this reform, legitimate users and shooting entities will be able to acquire and possess semiautomatic firearms fed by detachable magazines, including rifles, carbines, or assault submachine guns derived from military models, provided they are of a caliber greater than .22 LR and have the corresponding authorization.
The new system doesn't imply indiscriminate liberalization, but rather a licensing mechanism based on technical and sporting criteria, replacing the old prohibitionist logic with modern and verifiable regulation. According to the Official Gazette, applicants must provide precise identification of the firearm (type, brand, model, caliber, CUIM, and serial number) and have a Type G2 Storage Sector, a secure storage system duly registered.
Applicants are also required to submit a sworn statement justifying the request, accompanied by supporting documentation and photographs of the firearm, as well as pay the fee corresponding to the procedure, equivalent to the cost of the current "Express Possession" and Current Ammunition Consumption Card (TCCM).
