Security Minister Warns Against Gun Crime
Costa Rica's viceministro de Seguridad Pública, Gerardo Lascarez, on Sunday warned against the proliferation of firearms in the nation, which were used in around 5,000 robberies in 2006.

Some 48 people were shot dead in Costa Rica resisting robbery, and another 24 robbery victims killed their attackers in self-defense, according to government data published in the Spanish language daily newspaper, La Nacion, on Sunday.

William Hidalgo, director of weapons at the ministry, said it was impossible to know how many weapons were on the nation's streets, but said he was certain that thousands were traded on the country's black market.

Costa Rica passed a law in 2001 ordering jail sentences for people carrying guns illegally, but only a tiny fraction of the 15,500 people who were charged under the law have been jailed.