Guns in Colombia, are they legal and where can you buy one? Like in America....

Hunter says on May 29, 2004, 07:04:

You can purchase either type of licence, wether for carrying, or just household.

I wouldn't recomend bringing the weapons into Colombia until you have the license, unless you have good friends here.

See thread further down.

Hunter

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Gator says on May 30, 2004, 13:44:

Watchout Colombian law prohibits tourists and business travelers from importing or bringing firearms into Colombia. The penalty for illegal importation and/or possession of firearms is 3 to 10 years in prison.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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viewpoint says on May 30, 2004, 13:57:

Guns in Colombia My understanding is that a Colombian must obtain an firearm (gun)license (after meeting many requirements) through the DNS (Colombian government agency) and purchase the firearm through them. I am sure that any foreigner with non-resident status cannot import or possess a firearm legally so I am sure Gator's advice is true.

Just take anything you ever learned about USA laws regarding firearms and turn it upside down and it will be close to Colombian law. In the USA it is legal to own a firearm and defend yourself, but in Colombia it is not, unless you are licensed which is difficult, costly and time consuming to accomplish.

I have asked many Colombians why the law is this way about gun ownership but I have never received an answer that made any sense to me. The wealthy Colombians reply that there would be more crime if the gun laws were like the USA. It seems to me that there would be less if criminals know their victims may possess firearms.

Finally, the only shooting ranges I have ever seen are for people with "Paint Guns". jjjajajaj it's true !!!! Walter since you are moving to Medellin for a year the (two of them) Paint Gun ranges are up on Calle 10 one mile above (east) Transversal Superior. Always lots of activity up there on weekends.

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Hunter says on May 30, 2004, 14:42:

I posted this on another thread, will repeat it here as well:
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As a ordinary foreigner you can get a legal gun, ask some trusted local Colombian friends where you can apply for them, where you are living in Colombia. Off the top of my head you will need:

A Colombian ID card.
A doctors letter saying you are physically fit.
A shrinks letter saying you are mentaly fit.
Two people of respected background, recommending you.
A letter stating the reasom why you want the gun.
The application form.

If you shoot somebody will a illegal gun, you will go to jail for 6 months, whatever the circumstances.
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Gary VI, these are most of the requirements, or were 1.5 years ago, the process takes a couple of months. You have to have a Cedula (business visa), I am not a resident and have a legal firearm, I know other foreigners who are not resident and have them as well.

The cost is 1.9 Milion pesos plus depending on what sort of firearm, this includes the firearm, 100 rounds, the cleaning kit and a license for 3 years (probably soon to be raised to 5 years). When you renew the licence it costs about 100K pesos.

You don't have to take their firearms if you have your own, I didn't look into the cost of that license, because I didn't have a gun.

As Gator said I wouldn't bring your firearms into the Country until you checked with the relevant military office regarding licenses etc.

Hunter

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viewpoint says on May 30, 2004, 15:04:

Thanks 4 Info Thanks for the information. I know that I went to DNS in Medellin to inquire about the "gun license requirements" about three years back and it got awful complicated for me so I gave up. In fact, everything at DNS gets complicated but they have always been nice to me. I have had three Colombian Business Visas (last one expires next month) and the next Visa will be the Colombian Resident Visa. I got my cedula (CE) and drivers licence in early 1999 and received over the years only one original cedula despite the annual renewals, as DNS can never seem to find them after Bogota sends them 6-12 months later.

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Hunter says on May 30, 2004, 15:16:

I had a Colombian friend who has several gun licences, tell me what to do and give me a hand filling the application form in. I think I spent about four hours over the couple of months to sort it out, mostly in the neverending Colombian queues.

Hunter

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