On January 1, 2020, the Puerto Rican Arms Act of 2020 went into effect to align Puerto Rican law with United States law. The law makes it easier for Puerto Ricans to possess and carry firearms.
The law made Puerto Rico a “must-issue” region for the issuance of a title license and concealed carry permits. Prior to the new law, it was nearly impossible for the island’s citizens to navigate the maze of confusing requirements to be able to own and carry a weapon. The new law also recognized all other hidden transportation permits in the United States. Gun ownership appears to have exploded since the strict firearms law change.
According to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the month of May 2021 saw a 323% increase in gun sales compared to that of May 2020.
In fact, that number is down by about 4% from April 2021, another record month for arms sales. Gun shops sprouted up all over the Island, prompting Puerto Ricans to get hold of the guns, and they did so en masse.
Puerto Rico used to have a “can-issued” license plan to own a firearm before the new law was passed in 2019 and took effect in 2020. In the past, a potential gun owner had to spend several thousand dollars in attorney fees to appear before a judge to defend Your case for possession of a firearm. There will be no guarantee that it will be licensed.
The requirement to take your case to a judge no longer exists. Once a person obtains their license to purchase a firearm, they also automatically obtain a concealed carry permit. Permit and license are the same. Gun owners can also own rifles and short-barreled rifles without obtaining a tax stamp and without complying with the requirements of the National Firearms Act because the island considers tax stamps a form of “unrepresentative tax.” SBRs and SBS are sold over the counter like regular firearms.
The explosion in gun ownership in 2021 may be caused by delays in processing applications for firearms licenses. By law, the territory has 45 days to approve or reject a gun license. Currently, it takes Puerto Rico about a year to issue a new firearms license. This delay may be the reason we are seeing an explosion in gun ownership on the island in 2021.
Although the Puerto Rican government far exceeds the 45-day mandate, they claim to be subject to the law. The government claims that the timetable does not begin until the future owner of the weapons presents his documentation. All paperwork must be filed in person with local law enforcement authorities by appointment. The watch won’t start ticking until then.
Currently, it takes a year to get an appointment with the police department. Island lands claim the suffocation is due to COVID-19 and budget cuts. But the long delay has not deterred Puerto Ricans from obtaining firearms licenses. There is no sign that the island’s shopping spree has slowed.
Although there is still a licensing requirement, and for many gun rights activists this conflicts with the right to bear arms, Puerto Ricans embrace the gun and gun culture.
