Hey Paul, does this have any effect on you?
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella Loosens Restrictions on Being Armed for Self-Defense
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella issued a decree loosening a decades old restriction on carrying firearms in public for self-defense.
BBC reported that the restriction had barred “even those in possession of a permit to carry guns” from being armed in public without first acquiring “additional authorization.”
The restriction on carrying guns in public, even for self-defense, began in December 2015 under then-President Juan Manuel Santos.
As De la Espriella campaigned for the presidency, he pledged to be tough on crime. He believes ensuring law-abiding citizens can be armed for self-defense is part of fulfilling that promise.
He said it is “not right that criminals are armed to the teeth while decent people can’t defend themselves.”
On September 8, 2026, De la Espriella posted to X, “For years, citizens who obey the law were restricted while criminals continued arming themselves to the teeth illegally. That has to change.”
Upon signing the decree, De la Espriella also made clear that law enforcement will continue to rigorously pursue and disarm the criminal element in Colombian society.