On Thursday, the deputies of the Security and Drug Trafficking Commission approved a motion to eliminate subsection K of Article #25 of Bill #20.508 to change the Weapons and Explosives Law. Subsection K prohibited the use of assault arms type AK and AR15. With this restriction eliminated, civilians are now allowed to carry these types of weapons.



The ArmaLite AR-15 is a select-fire, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed assault rifle manufactured in the United States between 1959 and 1964, and adopted by the United States Armed Forces as the M16 rifle. Designed by American gun manufacturer ArmaLite in 1956, it was based on its AR-10 rifle. The ArmaLite AR-15 was designed to be a lightweight assault rifle and to fire a new high-speed, lightweight, small-caliber cartridge to allow infantrymen to carry more ammunition.



The AK series assault rifle is a derivative of the AK-74M chambered for the 7.62 × 39mm M43 round, similar to the older AKM. The modern AK-103 can be fitted with a variety of sights, including night vision and telescopic sights, plus a knife-bayonet or a grenade launcher. It uses plastic components where possible instead of wood or metal, with such components being the pistol grip, handguards and stock.




The motion to eliminate restriction K on the use of these assault weapons was presented by the deputy Jorge Fonseca.




Subsection K of Article #25 of Bill #20.508 refers the prohibition of the use of, "Any long weapon or any type of revolver or pistol using the calibers: 0.23- 5.56- 5.7x28 - 7 - 7.62x25 - 7.62x39 - 7.62x51 - 7.62x57 except for those weapons registered and used for the practice of sports duly accredited." Those calibers are used in assault arms type AK and AR15



The elimination of subsection K was approved by deputies of the Security and Drug Trafficking Commission. The five votes in favor came from deputies Zoila Rosa Volio, Otto Roberto Vargas, David Gourzong, Roberto Thompson and Gustavo Viales. The four votes against the elimination were from deputies, Carolina Hidalgo, Enrique Sanchez, Harllan Hopelman and Marulin Azofeifa. That vote means that individuals may now own weapons type AK and AR15.



The commission also voted to allow people with police record to buy these assault weapons.

The deputies noted that a police record could be a minor problem or family violence and is not equivalent to a criminal record. A criminal record occurs when an individual is sentenced by a judge for a major crime such as murder.
The commission agreed to maintain the weapons-use age restriction at 14 years old, but that age limit is only for weapon’s use for sport shooting competitions. Regular weapons are still limited to those over 18 years of age.




As AM Costa Rica reported on Jan. 16th, the Security Minister, Michael Soto, has asked the deputies to modify the number of weapons allowed per adult from three to one.

The Minister Soto, defended his position on reducing the number of weapons allowed per person to one each. He appeared before the Drug Trafficking and Security Commission of the Legislative Assembly to answer questions about the new bill to reform the Weapons and Explosives Law.



"I do not intend in any way to disarm citizens and reject those statements made by some people," said Minister Soto.




The minister wanted deputies to reduce legal gun ownership from three to one. In addition, if the new Bill #20.508 to change the Weapons and Explosives Law is approved by the deputies, the regulation would apply only to new buyers.