Gun law in Uruguay

Uruguayan law allows firearm possession on shall-issue basis. With approximately 35 civilian firearms per 100 people, Uruguay is the eighth most armed country in the world and most armed in Latin America.

Current law

Licensing

Firearm possession in Uruguay require THATA ("Authorisation for the Acquisition and Possession of Firearms") card. Applicant for THATA must provide:

  • Photocopy of an identity card;
  • Criminal background check record;
  • Medical fitness certificate;
  • Salary or financial evidence;
  • Certificate of suitability of basic knowledge on safety and handling of firearms (first time applicants only).

Minimum age is 18. According to Decree N° 177/013 authorities may not require any additional conditions that must be met in order to get license except those stipulated by law.[1]

Firearm license must be renewed every three years and licensed owner may own up to three firearms – police may issue permit for acquisition of more. It is possible to legally own more than three firearms by registering as a firearms collector.

Permitted weapons

Civilians are allowed to possess pistols chambered in a caliber up to 9mm with no "extended" magazines allowed (competition shooters can still own pistols chambered in larger calibers like .45 ACP), revolvers of all calibers, all rifles below .50 BMG (the magazine size is limited to 5 rounds for rifles chambered in calibers larger than .22 LR). Guns made before 1890 with caliber smaller than 10 mm and Lefaucheux M1858 revolvers of any caliber are allowed without permit.

Carrying firearms

Carry of firearms require special carry permit issued by police. Applicant must present good reason, especially proof of threat for one's life. Carry permit is issued at discretion of police. Law allows carry of one handgun only in concealed manner. It is illegal to carry guns during public events, demonstrations, cabarés, public dances in polling stations and bars with alcohol. Every time carry license is renewed applicant must prove that previous reason is still valid.

Firearm possession

As of 2018 there are 604,271 (or 18 per 100 people) registered firearms in Uruguay including revolvers (36.65%), rifles (23.5%), pistols (21.18%), shotguns (18.33%) and muskets (0.33%).[2] Small Arms Survey estimates that there are approximately 600,000 illegal guns in Uruguay.[3]

See also

References
  1. "Solicitud de Autorización para Porte de Armas" (in Spanish). July 27, 2017.
  2. "Disminuye venta de armas desde 2016". November 26, 2018.
  3. "Guns in Uruguay". GunPolicy.org.
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