Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella signed a decree that eases longstanding limits on carrying guns in public for personal protection. The prior rule, started in December 2015 by then-President Juan Manuel Santos, required extra approval even for people who already held carry permits.

During his campaign he promised a hard line against crime and treats armed self-defense by lawful residents as part of that stance. On September 8, 2026 he wrote on X that obedient citizens faced limits while offenders kept obtaining weapons unlawfully and that situation needed to end. After signing he stated that police will keep pursuing offenders and taking their weapons.