Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has signed a decree easing the decades‑long ban on carrying legal firearms in public.
De la Espriella, who ran on an "iron‑fist" campaign, said it was unfair that criminals were armed while law‑abiding citizens could not defend themselves.
The decree lifts a suspension imposed in December 2015, which had forced permit holders either to obtain extra authorisation or stay indoors with their guns.
He insists the new law will not create a free‑for‑all; strict ownership controls remain and the state will continue to comb illegal weaponry.
De la Espriella reiterates that his action fulfills his campaign pledge, speaking of honour and keeping his word.
The original rule was introduced by President Juan Manuel Santos and extended yearly by his successors Iván Duque and Gustavo Petro, despite intended temporariness.
Under the law, even permit holders could not take firearms out of their homes unless they applied for and received specific permission.
The decree will affect nearly 700,000 people with current legal permits, allowing them to carry duly registered guns when the permits are up‑to‑date.
Green Alliance Party Senator Ariel Ávila called the move a "grave error," warning that legally held weapons could fall into criminal hands.
Ávila argued that arms should belong only to state forces as guarantors of public security.
De la Espriella maintains the decree will not hurt national safety, noting forces have seized over 15,000 illegal weapons this year, mainly belonging to breakaway FARC factions and the Gulf Clan gang.
