Guatemala City - Guatemala's new law of Arms and Ammunition starts it's implementation today. The purpose of the law is to control arms possession in Guatemala and to be able to regulate acquisition and carrying of weapons by the population. This is one of the measures that the government is implementing to impact on crime and delinquency.
People interested in obtaining a license to carry firearms must meet more requirements than before the new law was enforced. They have to undergo psychological testing, have to prove knowledge about weapon handling and pass test firing practices.
With the new law, criminal sanctions are also in force for illegal possession of fire arms. Among the more severe criminal offense are carrying of modified firearms, an article inserted into the law that addresses the arms used by criminal gangs and maras. This offense carries an inconmutable sentence of 10 to 15 years in prison. Criminals who manufacture modified weapons will get prison sentences from 6 to 9 years. Another important change is regarding the amount of ammunition that can be bought per weapon, the limit established by the new law is 250 shells.
Hector Rolando Del Cid was the Director of the Department of Arms and Ammunition (DECAM), today this institution became the General Directorate of Weapons and Ammunition, Dirección General de Armas y Municiones (Digecam).
All weapons, new and old have to be registered at this new institution. Weapons that have been previously registered at DECAM, have to be re- registered at Digecam.
Officials and former officials, like the MPs and former MPs, will continue to have the privilege of carrying firearms without a compulsory license process, but must be registered at Digecam.
