Colombia's government lifted the general suspension on firearm permits Tuesday, a decision President Abelardo de la Espriella announced via social media video.
The move restores the validity of individual gun permits that remain current and carry no specific restrictions. The government issued Decree 1368 of 2026 on September 8 to formalize the change.
De la Espriella said during his campaign that he would lift the suspension. In his video statement, he argued that the previous blanket restriction disadvantaged law-abiding citizens against criminals. "There is no right for bandits to be armed to the teeth and decent people cannot defend themselves," he said.
The president emphasized that the decision does not authorize indiscriminate gun ownership. Existing legal controls, requirements, and grounds for suspension remain in place under current legislation. "What ends is the general suspension that turned prohibition into the rule," De la Espriella stated.
Under the new decree, holders of valid permits no longer need to obtain an additional special authorization to carry firearms. That extra requirement had been tied to the general suspension that was in effect across the country.
De la Espriella defended the policy by saying Colombia's security cannot continue to be built by disarming law-abiding citizens while leaving criminals armed. The government maintained that the measure does not create new rights or expand eligibility beyond what existing law permits.