January 21, 2010
Panama City, Panama
Nazi leadership realized long ago that one of the chief ways you instill fear and obedience in the people is to take away their ability to fight back. This is a time-tested method of making the people afraid of the government, and thus preventing the converse.
As such, I am frequently asked about gun control laws in many parts of the world… and while I am far from a self-professed ‘gun nut,’ I have a healthy enough respect and experience with firearms that it is an issue to which I pay close attention.
Here in Panama, ownership of firearms is perfectly legal, and there is an established process for their acquisition. Like anything in Panama, you may want to hire a lawyer to work through the process for you. I hate paperwork and usually find it easier to hire someone else to worry about the details.
Panama has a regulated process; to be legal, the weapon itself needs to be registered, and there are restrictions on the type of firearms… you will not, for example, see fully-automatic weapons, silencers, or armor-piercing rounds in Panama. This is not the wild west.
In order to be eligible to buy a firearm, an individual must first obtain some sort of residency– there are a myriad of ways to obtain Panamanian residency (such as the little-known “Italian reciprocity policy” that I will discuss in the future), but the bottom line is that tourists cannot be licensed.
This is an important distinction to make since many bona-fide residents in Panama never actually register for residency; they simply extend their tourist visas and exit/re-enter the country every few months.
With residency in hand, an individual can complete the process at the gun store– this involves a urine/blood sample and a police background check that can honestly take up to a few months to clear. This step is by far the most bureaucratic part of the process.
Once your background check is complete, you can buy a weapon that is already registered with the Panamanian authorities. If the weapon is not registered (for example, if you import a firearm), the police are required to take ballistic samples, effectively registering the weapon’s ‘fingerprint’.
As long as a weapon is registered with the local authorities, it can change hands among individuals who have permission to own firearms. In other words, if you have a permit and want to buy a rifle that is already registered, it would be a relatively hassle-free process.
If your registered firearm is lost or stolen, you would definitely want to report this to the local authorities immediately, otherwise you may be initially implicated as a suspect should the weapon be used in a crime by someone else.
As you could imagine, though, there are a lot of weapons available for purchase in Panama that are not registered with the local authorities… these can be purchased in black market venues, which are generally in the shadier areas like Chorillo and Colon.
If you get caught with one of these weapons, it will at a minimum be confiscated, and you’ll be looking at a pretty stiff payment to the policeman who catches you. Otherwise, the offense carries serious jail time.
One last point to mention– Panamanians make no distinction between concealed carry and open carry. If properly licensed, you can stash a pistol in your boot or carry it around on a pistol belt in public.
Most public buildings, though, have policies against firearms, and many even have metal detectors and security to ensure no concealed carries into the building.
Drop me a note if you’re looking for a gun shop in Panama, or feel free to list some that you are familiar with by leaving a comment.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Opening an offshore bank account seems as easy as opening an HSBC account at my local HSBC bank and through them opening a separate account in one/several of their overseas sites (Canada, Australia, Argentina, Hong Kong are on my list).
I can then transfer funds between any of these accounts and draw down from them when in the associated country.
Am I missing something in this easy solution to the problem?
good day Simon you say before on youre letter that there is big discount for new Condo in Panama
could you assist me for a fee when you come to panama to find a real bargain
i dont want something to big
i already got a big one this would be an aditional one to use by me also
there some good deal in Costa Del este and san fransisco dont like that area close from the center Bank district Via Veneto
i like you report on Spain i am planning to go soon is Malaga airport is around the good beach aera is the girl situation is the same then Panama in Spain love those spanish date
always nice to read you Simon
Saludos Christian
I am going to Panama to start paperwork for a pensionada visa in March and would love info on local gun shop. Is it too much to bring my guns from Texas? Also, my executive assistant is Colombian and would be happy to adopt me or have someone in her family do it. Sounds like Colombia would be a good second passport. Any update on adoption for second passports? Thanks.
IMO, the only good gun is one the government doesn’t know about. Hence cannot send out police to confiscate it. A registered gun serves no use in a revolution. An unregistered gun makes the revolution unnecessary. Second Amendment guarantees the right to keep and BEAR arms (not guns, not even weapons, but arms.) It doesn’t distinguish concealed from openly. For myself, if I see a person with a gun in a holster, I figure he’s one of the good guys. In his belt? I take him for an outlaw.
Hey Simon, I love how you eventually get around to the key issues and questions in many of your readers minds. I’d love to know more about this, models of firearms available in Panama and their cost, cost of ammunition, gun clubs to shoot, the cost to import and legalize a gun imported and soforth… I assume there are gun dealer websites that may have a lot of this information? Thanks! Kevin
Great information Simon. Any insight on the country of Belize? Have your travels taken you through that country?
cool info in every post. thank you for sharing
What about banking in Panama? Please write a report on offshore banking especially in Panama, Costa Rica and Colombia.
Thanks for bringing this up! I’m no gun nut but I agree 100% with you about why governments try to limit access to guns.
I have a porto d’armi (gun permit) in Italy, and without Italian citizenship it would’ve been very difficult to get it. Even then, I can only transport the firearm from home to the firing range, and of course, unloaded.
This permit lasts for six years, and from the gun dealer I can only purchase 30 boxes of bullets within those six years. However, I can only store a maximum of 200 bullets (4 boxes) at home at any given time. There is no limit on the bullets I can purchase at the range but the rounds must be used up at the range.
Furthermore, within a year of purchasing a firearm, the Carabinieri (military-like police) will come to your home to see where you keep the firearm. It’s crazy.
A concealed carry permit is only given to bodyguards or the wealthy, and they must be renewed annually.
Then let’s not even mention shooting someone who breaks into your home… :-\
Status of gun laws for other Central am. countries, especially Mexico for residency. I have read the law on Mexico, but recently talked with colleague that said, once resident, ways to get around it. I am moving there in ‘10, so any feedback appreciated.
Hi Simon,
I have been reading your emails/articles for some months now and not only enjoy the commentary, but find it very useful. I have enclosed some interesting facts about gun history below sent to me by a friend in America…. Enjoy
Gun History
>
> After reading the following historical facts, read the part
> about Switzerland twice.
>
> A LITTLE GUN HISTORY
> In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control.. From 1929 to 1953,
> about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up
> and exterminated.
>
> ——————————
>
> In 1911, Turkey established gun control.
> From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves,
> were rounded up and exterminated.
>
>
> ——————————
>
> Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total of
> 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were
> rounded up and exterminated.
>
> ——————————
> China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million
> political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and
> exterminated
>
> ——————————
>
> Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1981, 100,000
> Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and
> exterminated.
>
> ——————————
>
> Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000
> Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated
>
> ——————————
>
> Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million
> educated people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and
> exterminated.
>
> —————————–
>
> Defenseless people rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century because
> of gun control: 56 million.
>
> ——————————
>
> It has now been 12 months since gun owners in Australia were forced by new
> law to surrender 640,381 personal firearms to be destroyed by their own
> Government, a program costing Australia taxpayers more than $500
> million dollars. The first year results are now in:
>
> List of 7 items:
>
> Australia-wide, homicides are up 3.2 percent.
>
> Australia-wide, assaults are up 8.6 percent.
>
> Australia-wide, armed robberies are up 44 percent (yes, 44 percent)!
>
> In the state of Victoria alone, homicides with firearms are now up 300
> percent. Note that while the law-abiding citizens turned them in, the
> criminals did not, and criminals still possess their guns!
>
> While figures over the previous 25 years showed a steady decrease in armed
> robbery with firearms, this has changed drastically upward in the past 12
> months, since criminals now are guaranteed that their prey is
> unarmed.
>
> There has also been a dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of the
> ELDERLY. Australian politicians are at a loss to explain how public
> safety has decreased, after such monumental effort, and expense was
> expended in successfully ridding Australian society of guns. The
> Australian experience and the other historical facts above prove it.
>
> You won’t see this data on the US evening news, or hear politicians
> disseminating this information.
>
> Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and, yes,
> gun-control laws adversely affect only the law-abiding citizens
>
> Take note my fellow Americans, before it’s too late!
>
> The next time someone talks in favor of gun control, please remind them of
> this history lesson.
>
> With guns, we are ‘citizens.’
>
> Without them, we are ’subjects’.
>
> During WWII the Japanese decided not to invade America because they knew
> most Americans were ARMED!
>
> If you value your freedom, please spread this anti-gun control message to
> all of your friends.
>
> The purpose of fighting is to win. There is no possible victory in
> defense. The sword is more important than the shield, and skill is more
> important than either. The final weapon is the brain. All else is
> supplemental.
>
> SWITZERLAND ISSUES EVERY HOUSEHOLD A GUN!
> SWITZERLAND’S GOVERNMENT TRAINS EVERY ADULT THEY ISSUE A RIFLE.
>
> SWITZERLAND HAS THE LOWEST GUN RELATED CRIME RATE OF ANY CIVILIZED COUNTRY
> IN THE WORLD!!!
> IT’S A NO BRAINER!
>
> DON’T LET OUR GOVERNMENT WASTE MILLIONS OF OUR TAX DOLLARS IN AN EFFORT TO
> MAKE ALL LAW ABIDING CITIZENS AN EASY TARGET.
>
> I’m a firm believer of the 2nd Amendment!
>
> If you are too, please forward.
>
> Just think how powerful our government is getting!
>
> They think these other countries just didn’t do it right.
>
> Learn from history!
>
>
>
>
wow Simon,
This almost seems to make sense. A registered gun that can readily and easily be traced back to the owner?!!? No wonder we don’t have anything like that in the US….please keep us informed on your expat housing project down there, best of luck.
I guess being able to own a gun is better than not being able to possess one, but having to ask permission to do so is not the answer for a person who wants liberty. If the state has to grant permission to own a gun, the state can revoke that permission. That ain’t good enough for me.
Re:
SWITZERLAND HAS THE LOWEST GUN RELATED CRIME RATE OF ANY CIVILIZED COUNTRY
> IN THE WORLD!!!
Um,no offense,but comparing a small,homogenous,wealthy country such as switzerland,to almost everywhere else is….well…apples and oranges.
I understand the point,but you cannot take variables out of equations just to prove the point. Switzerland may also have the lowest of many other rates in the world as well: ie,poverty,any crime,not just violent,lowest infant mortality,school drop-out,etc.
Add to that their politically neutral position,and non-involvement in wars,and you have to wonder if their stance in non-violence/non intervention does not also inform the consciousness of the populace,to the point that it is understood that individual and national sovereignty is to be respected,not tampered with.
I agree that educating citizens if you give them a firearm,will result in far better results.I just think many other factors need to be weighed in when considering the results. How many people live in Switzerland,for example?
In any case,stats are deceiving at times….
As per Italy,not to be cliche,but yea,the ‘mafia’ situation,coupled with fiercely independent regions in Italy,has created again a very different situation there. As well,they do not have a history such as the US does which is based on a romanticized notion of sovereignty and right to bear arms,and the freedom from colonizers’ that is part of the american historical mindset.
I am not saying I agree with Italy’s policy,just that it has developed in light of contemporary needs and desires. I also think Italy changes daily,as do many other nations today-and it remains to be seen what changes they will or will not make. Granted,today it looks as though all signs point to greater and continued controls,but again,it cannot be compared with switzerland,for example.
Just my two cents(:
Hi Simon, I requested info about your residential housing project a couple of weeks ago, nothing has arrived; or, it went to spam. I have your blog address whitelisted, please use this address when sending the project doc’s.
Thanks, Mike
I am currently residing in Panama at least part time and pensionado resident. I would like to see a list of legitamate gun shops in the Panama City area. You assistance on this matter will be greatly appreciated.
Freddy
As you stated, you must have obtained residency in Panama before you can legally own a gun. When you get your permanent visa (pensionado, for example), you have already submitted a police report. You don’t have to get another one for legal gun ownership. Requirements are: urine test (for drugs); blood sample for obtaining DNA; and a psychological exam (which is a joke). I live here and I have done the steps to own a firearm legally.