The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – People with criminal records cannot obtain a firearm permit to carry weapons in Costa Rica, according to the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Costa Rica.
The justices rejected an appeal by a citizen who saw the move as discriminatory.
The Constitutional Court ruling indicates that carrying a weapon is an award given by the State to its citizens and not a right.
Under that premise, any person with a criminal record for property crimes, domestic violence, crimes against life, against freedom or breach of Psychotropic Drugs Act, may obtain a license to carry firearms, according to a ministry statement Security.
The Constitutional Court said in its ruling that “the delivery of the permit condition to not having a criminal record responds to a national policy aimed at strengthening national security commitments in an attempt to maintain order and public tranquility”.
For Security Minister Mario Zamora, “one of the mechanisms to exercise control, supervision and control of the issue of weapons in order to protect the public interest and public safety are police records.”
Thus, the authorities continue to use criminal record information about people “deny” permission to carry weapons or firearms registration.
Currently there are over 200,000 registered firearms in Costa Rica, according to the Ministry of Justice.
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose Costa Rica
