In Colombia, new law now citizens to carry guns anywhere they go

Colombia's newly enacted law grants citizens the right to carry legally owned firearms in public spaces without additional authorization, as part of President Abelardo de la Espriella's commitment to combat crime. The decree, signed by De la Espriella on Wednesday, applies to residents possessing valid permits for registered firearms.

De la Espriella contends that law-abiding citizens shouldn't be denied self-defense in the face of criminals wielding illegal weapons. He affirmed that the new measure doesn't disregard existing regulations on lawful gun ownership.

The decree, which reinstates a temporary security measure from 2015, affects approximately 700,000 Colombians who hold legal firearm-carry permits. With valid permits, these individuals can now transport their registered firearms outside their residences for the duration of permit validity. However, Senator Ariel Ávila of the Green Alliance Party decried the decision as a "grave error," cautioning that legally owned firearms might inadvertently reach criminals. Ávila also questioned the rationale of permitting civilians to carry arms, asserting that the government should maintain sole responsibility for public safety.

De la Espriella dismissed concerns of increased insecurity, citing ongoing efforts by security forces to curb illegal firearms. Authorities have confiscated over 15,000 illicit weapons this year, many linked to breakaway factions of the Farc rebel group and the Gulf Clan criminal organization. De la Espriella asserted that the new policy would uphold current safeguards on lawful firearm ownership while empowering authorized citizens to better protect themselves.