Colombia is rethinking its approach to civilian gun ownership. On September 8, 2026, President Abelardo De La Espriella signed a decree ending the general suspension that had restricted ordinary citizens from obtaining permits to carry firearms. The move has triggered a heated national debate about public safety, self-defense rights, and the risks of putting more weapons into circulation.
As Colombians weigh the pros and cons, many are looking to the United States, often cited as the world’s most permissive developed nation when it comes to gun ownership. Protected by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, Americans currently possess an estimated 393 million firearms—more guns than people. Yet that widespread access coincides with more than 44,000 gun-related deaths every year, a toll that continues to fuel fierce political disagreement over regulation, mental health, and constitutional rights.
Analysts note that Colombia’s policy shift comes at a politically sensitive moment, just as the United States prepares to decide whether to recertify Colombia in its ongoing anti-narcotics cooperation—a decision that could be influenced by how the new government’s early security measures are perceived in Washington.
Want the full analysis of what Colombia might learn—or should avoid—from the American experience with guns? Check out the original report at El Tiempo.
Source: Colombia da un giro en su política sobre el porte de armas: ¿qué puede aprender de EE. UU.? (eltiempo.com). English version produced with AI assistance.
Image: Patrick Feller, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).