RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The President of the Republic of Chile, Sebastián Piñera, enacted the reforms to Law No. 17,798 on Arms Control, which strengthened the institutional framework and oversight and increased the requirements for the acquisition and possession of firearms.
After 14 years of processing, the National Congress approved the bill, allowing for stricter legislation on firearms possession, trafficking, and use.
“It is going to improve the security and peace of mind of all families because this law is going to allow strengthening the control of firearms and, also, of the conditions. And, consequently, it will allow families to live with greater freedom and peace of mind”, said the President in a ceremony held at the Carabineros Weapons Depository Center, accompanied by the Ministers of the Interior and Public Security, Rodrigo Delgado; National Defense, Baldo Prokurica; and Justice, Hernán Larraín, among other representatives of the Armed Forces of Chile and the Law Enforcement and Security Forces.
The new regulation incorporates a series of modifications that make the legislation on possession, trafficking, and use of firearms stricter. Among the changes to Law No. 17,798 is the express inclusion of adapted, blank, or toy weapons and silencers as prohibited elements. Their use, traffic, and sale are regulated and must be duly registered.
Likewise, and to have better control, the names of those who acquire or transfer arms will be recorded and if arms are imported from abroad.
There will be a traceability analysis to know the effect of the firing of projectiles when a weapon is registered for the first time in the General Directorate of National Mobilization (DGMN). This registry should be available to the police, allowing for a better follow-up of the weapons and reinforcing the investigative work in case of possible crimes.
Regarding sanctions, the sale of ammunition to unauthorized persons becomes a crime. Also, the penalties for handing out weapons to minors are increased to 541 days to five years of imprisonment, and the crime of adulteration, alteration, or destruction of the weapons traceability system is created.
The enacted law also incorporates the Investigative Police (PDI) as a supervisory body, strengthening the team overseeing the correct use of weapons in Chile.
“I would like to call on all our compatriots to join this necessary, urgent and noble cause, which is to ensure that crime recedes and citizen security advances and, thus, to be able to grant all Chilean families more freedom, more peace, more tranquility so that they can develop their lives to the fullest”, concluded President Piñera.
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