BOGOTA, Colombia
Argentine President Javier Milei has officially authorized civilians to purchase and possess semi-automatic rifles, lifting a ban imposed in 1990.
The new resolution, approved by the government on Wednesday, establishes a control system based on sporting justification and traceability, replacing the broad prohibition with a set of requirements for obtaining a special permit.
The new requirements for civilian ownership include a specific identification of the semi-automatic rifle a person intends to acquire; the person must possess a registered G2-type storage area—a secure, certified system approved by the National Arms Registry—and a sworn statement detailing the specific grounds for the application, accompanied by supporting documentation and photographs of the material.
This reform directly replaces a 1990s decree issued during the administration of former President Carlos Menem, who ruled from 1989 to 1999. That decree had largely prevented civilians from acquiring semi-automatic rifles unless explicitly authorized by the Ministry of Defense.
In June, the Milei government took the initial step by repealing the Menem-era decree. Wednesday’s resolution establishes a functional mechanism for civilians to legally purchase and possess these types of firearms, transitioning from a ban to a regulated system.
This action aligns with President Milei’s long-standing advocacy for relaxed gun laws, often citing the United States model during his campaign. Milei has consistently spoken out in favor of the free carrying of weapons, pledging to ease civilian access requirements.
In December 2024, his administration already lowered the minimum age for applying for a “legitimate gun user card” to 18. This document is the necessary first step toward applying for any full firearm license.
