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30 Costa Ricans apply for firearm permits each day, citing crime concerns

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man with gun in wasteband

April 15th, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) Citing ongoing concerns about crime in the country, some 30 Costa Ricans now apply each day for permission to carry a firearm.

 

The fact that Costa Ricans are arming themselves at a faster rate than before is evident from the long lines that form early each morning outside the Department of Arms and Explosives of the Ministry of Security, where permits are requested.

 

“You choose to arm yourself because of so many things you see on the street.  Where I live is peaceful now, but you never know.  It’s for protection.  Getting the permit is tedious, many lines and long procedures,” said Walter Rios, who requested a firearm permit last week.

 

The increase in number of those requesting firearm permits is also creating longer lines for those attempting to handle other business at the Ministry of Security, where fingerprints are taken as part of the requirements for a firearm permit, as well as for other matters, such as permission to be a private security guard.

 

Data from the Ministry of Security suggests that the ministry is overwhelmed by the growing demand for firearm and security permits.

 

“I do not agree with people arming themselves, I think having more guns on the street is dangerous.  But it is a fact that the numbers show that people have a sense if insecurity which they believe they can face with a gun,” said the director of the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ), Francisco Segura.

 

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  • disgusted

    You have to take a course run by Armas y Explosivos. It includes the law 7530.Finger prints, copies of your ID, Hands on shooting a target 6 meters must hit it 7 out of 10 times size of typing paper. Take written test, interview with a psychologist which is a joke in my opinion just a money grab. Oh must be a permanent resident or pensioner unless that been changed. Currently allow 3 weapons. Every two years must renew your permits. Spending the entire morning at the office. And they limit it to 100 tickets per day. At this rate 7,200 new permits a year.

    • georgechapogas

      good info. do you know what laws there are about owning a shotgun solely for in your home? are you familiar with any of the laws justifying the use of a weapon for in the home self defense? now, just because some one breaks in.is not enough had a friend whose place was broken into while he and his son were asleep. he woke up to the guy with his stuff stacked up ready to go out the door. the robber attacked him and the home owner responded with a metal bar. broke the guy up pretty good and one of the detectives wanted to charge him with “excessive force” so i am curious, you know some of the other stuff, got info about this stuff?

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ken-Morris/100001033121747 Ken Morris

        A shotgun in your own home is pretty much the same process as a concealed carry permit for a handgun. This is one of the ironies of the law. Since the tests are the same (and you have to use a handgun for the range test) you might as well get the concealed carry permit. Regarding use of a weapon, be careful about relying upon hearsay and anecdote. The law basically permits the use of a weapon when you or your companions are physically threatened, and then the use must be proportional to the threat. Lots of people get guns to protect their property, but you better be sure the robber is armed before you fire. Not sure about a metal bar, but I can see how retaliation with a gun could raise questions of proportionality. As the Sergeant on “Hill Street Blues” used to say: Be careful out there! A gun could cause you more trouble than it prevents.

      • disgusted

        Google this and read all about it. YOU have to have the shotgun as well registered. Some say well it is my corporation I am protected. NOT! I took the course in 2006. Ley 7530 however, now they CR revising this. Read Amcostarica. They want to limit us from weapons now and soon have to show proof your in danger to own one!! go figure.

        http://www.costaricalaw.com/guns-in-costa-rica-ownership-and-registation.html

        • georgechapogas

          TY

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ken-Morris/100001033121747 Ken Morris

    Like many statistics, this one strikes me as misleading. I have been in line twice at the Department of Arms and Explosives, and almost everyone else in line was a new hire by a security company, not a regular citizen. I don’t know about anyone else, but ironically the plethora of armed security guards is a reason ordinary citizens might want to be armed too. Most of these are kids from rural areas taking the best/only jobs they can find, and they’re nice enough kids, but I can’t believe that outfitting thousands of these poor kids with guns isn’t a recipe for trouble. Everywhere I go in Costa Rica I regularly pass these bored and armed kids earning very low wages. And the tests aren’t hard to pass. The reality is that Costa Rica is a heavily and publicly armed society, which gives pause to anyone who isn’t armed.

  • Oscar C.E.

    Yes, it is misleading. We don’t know how many of those are renewals and how many are actual new permits.

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