Panama moves to let citizens have guns

[mmckee1952]

Panama moves to let citizens have guns: Public Safety Minister notes more guns "have allowed the US to reduce homicide"

By: John Lott

The Panama Post:

As Panama deals with increases in crime rates, forged gun permits, and rising gang activity, the government is set to lift the ban on firearm imports, in an effort to promote personal safety.

Public Safety Minister Rodolfo Aguilera said the country will follow in the footsteps of the United States and Switzerland, where the right to bear arms is believed to lead to fewer homicides.+

“Everything seems to indicate that there is no direct correlation in the aphorism that says more guns mean more crime,” said Aguilera, who explained that relaxed gun laws have allowed the United States to reduce the homicide rate over the last 20 years. . . .

Under the current law, in effect since 2012, only state security forces can import firearms. Meanwhile, the Central American Integration System (SICA) has called for a comprehensive review of Panama’s firearm-import ban before any action is taken by the National Assembly. . . .

Read More: http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2015/08/p ... -guns.html

[WVUBeta1904]

Good for them; it could be of some help to their society over time, although desperation law-making paired with blind hopefulness seems to create problems as well - we will see which way it unravels. Either way, I am certain that our current administration will find some way to chastise the Panamanian government over this.

[Reverenddel]

If Chile, or Argentina goes that route? (shrugs) I may have to consider moving to Patagonia.

Just saying.