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Gun politics in Honduras


Gun laws in Honduras refers to the regulation of the commerce, ownership, possession and use of firearms by the citizens and residents of Honduras. Hondurans have remained passive on the control of proliferation of firearms in the country. Escalation in crime and the use of firearms in the commission of crimes and homicides has brought political and public discourse to consider regulation of arms.

Up until 1985, there was no official regulation of gun ownership and possession by private citizens although Title III, Chapter IV, Article 94 of the Honduran Constitution of 1965, replaced in 1982, stated No one may possess or carry weapons without the permission of the competent authority. The law shall regulate this provision; while the Constitution of 1957 on Title II, Chapter IV said The inhabitants of the republic can own and carry weapons in accordance with the law.

The current Constitution of Honduras, enacted in 1982, makes no direct mention of the 'right to keep and bear arms' and the role firearms should play as a constitutional right; however, Title V, Chapter X, Article 292 ...reserve[s] as exclusive power of the Armed Forces the manufacturing, import, distribution and sale of arms, ammunition and the like. Other clauses in the Constitution regarding the right of citizens to life and personal safety have served as foundation to the legislation and regulation of individuals' right to possession and the use of firearms.

Until June 2007, openly carrying a firearm in public as well carrying a concealed weapon was permitted but increased attention to deaths by firearm in the country led to further restrictions on the possession of firearms. Current law still makes the purchase, ownership, and possession of firearms legal and it describes the type of firearms permitted for civilian ownership. The 2007 small arms survey shows 6 guns owned per 100 citizens in Honduras.

The legal control of the proliferation and of the illegal use of firearms is relatively new in Honduras. Prior to 1985, ownership or possession of a firearm by a private citizen was considered no more than the ownership and possession of any other piece of property. When a crime was committed using a firearm, other than regarding the weapon as evidence to the crime, its possession and use in the crime was not a crime by itself but the act committed, such as murder or robbery, was the violation to prosecute.


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