Gun permit poll

[Kodiak]

There is a new poll regarding gun permits at the panama_law_for_expats Yahoo group (link below).

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Panama_laws_for_expats/surveys?id=231...

Please take the time to answer all of the questions that apply to you by voting for those that do.

Thank you,

Later,
J

[Harold Clinton Love]

Great info, thanks!  We'll probably go through a registered gun dealer here to ship them when we get our residency.  Have become pretty attached to our pistols and are long-time CHL license holders. 

[Ty(Tyson) DeWees]

Thanks for all the good info. i have a great idea for those of you who don't like guns nor want to carry them DON"T. Pretty easy solution for the rest of us who see weapons as tools and use them in a proper and safe manner more power to you. Maybe you could even help me to shoot straight! LOL

[Roger Bellido]

Kodiak:

You gave me a good information. I will need to renovate my gun permit soon and the place where I bought my gun went out of business a few years ago. I will contact Panama Shooters for that renewal application.

I will be watching the project of law in Panama because I will give my support to them. I cant think that we are going to leave the criminals armed and the good people will be without defense.

Roger

[Kodiak]

Rodger,
Personally I am not interested in becoming a 'licensed hunter' but others might be. I have often considered importing a couple more firearms but have held back due to the current state of affairs where DIJ appears to be sitting on seemingly straight forward simple permit/renewal applications. As for enlisting the help of a dealer to import firearms I guess the thought never occurred to me since this would seem to be like asking someone to shoot themselves in the foot (i.e. a lost sale and its subsequent income). This dealer (http://www.panamashooters.com/web/index.php) will help with the government required application processes for purchase, renewal and transfer of arms at a nominal fee. The proprietor, Jorge Cohen, is also one of the main points of contact for the Panamanian association of gun owners (APPA).

Yes there have been many restrictive firearms law proposals knocking around of late. Two years ago it was proposed Law 408 that the APPA and others helped defeat. Even Larry Pratt of the Gun Owners of America (GOA) came to help. As mentioned there are yet new proposals but it is unclear if they are being debated or acted upon in the assembly at this time. These draft proposals have been posted in the "Files" section at (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Panama_laws_for_expats/) for those interested (some are in English).

Thanks again for taking your time to post information of interest to many.

Later,
J

[Roger Bellido]

Kodiak:

I do think it will be better if you go to an Arm Dealer in Panama City to get more information about this and how could they help in the process. They have more experience and know very well all the paperworks and bureocracy to import firearms.

You are right. One of the latest requisites for a firearms permit is to have a psychological evaluation. They say that it is to know if you are a wacko that will think you are BILLY THE KID on the streets.

Politicians here are trying to make the law for firearms possesion more strict thinking that it will stop some violence on the streets. That is totally wrong because all the firearms in Panama involved in crimes are illegal. Most of those firearms were smuggled from Central America. The criminals dont ask for firearms permits. This law will make that we, the good people, be without any possibility to own a firearm as protection. Some people in Panama is working against this law proposal and opposing any action politicians would like to do in that matter.

I am not so sure if it is more difficult or not the registration procedure but I have included the address and phone of the government office for that purpose. Remember that some people could take advantage of you if you ignore the law. They could tell you it is difficult and would take some time and some money. The more you investigate the better. Cut corners and go directly to the source. Knowing spanish will help a lot in comunicating your thougths and requirements.... and my best advice: "Iron fist - Velvet glove". That is be firm but polite. You will wonder how well that work. The best thing against corruption is knowledge.

[Kodiak]

Rodger, thanks for the information. It has been sometime since I had read through it. The purchase process differs a little bit on this end of Panama where the dealers are not set up to take samples and you need to go to a lab. Folks should know that they will also need a psychological evaluation (a simple form signed by the doctor). Since the topic has expanded a bit worth mentioning too is that stun guns, and perhaps tasers, are legal in Panama. As an x-seal hunter turned tree-hugger I have noted a few posts from a 'licensed hunter' and David attorney on another site saying that this registration procedure is even more difficult.
Later,
J

PS Marv I considered you a good guy until you went out of your way to rain on fellow expats. To what purpose you ask? Generally speaking most expats obtain a firearm to protect themselves and their loved ones from bad people. In the recent US Supreme Court decision the court also pointed out that the presence of firearms has proven to reduce crime.

[Jim McMillin]

Roger, Great stuff! Thanks!! Actually I have hunted for all of the above mentioned animals in the former Zone along with some great duck hunting "Blue winged teal" The limit then was 25 birds a day. Thats been awhile though [37 yrs ago ] I ve lost my desire to hunt. But I do need some of my guns to target shoot with and personal protection. I will pursue this further Thanks JIM

[Roger Bellido]

About hunting in Panama..... well I dont think so.
Problem is that we have a lot of endangered species and animald so hunting is not allowed. Big hunt games dissapeared long time ago. There is not much deers, cougars, jaguars, tapirs....are almost inexistent. Uncontrolled hunting and habitat destroying by humans have put in danger those animals.

So the best way to use your weapons if going to range and join a shooting club for competition or just having fun.

[Roger Bellido]

Sorry. I forgot to give you the address of the government agency for this kind of transaction.

Dirección Institucional en Asuntos de Seguridad Pública.
Balboa, El Prado, calle las Cruces, Edificio 746
Central Telefónica: + [phone]

[Roger Bellido]

I have found this on one of the Panama's government websites.


Authorization for Importation of Firearms ( Natural Person )

This service consists of the authorization granted by the Ministry of Government and Justice , through the Directorate , to enter one (1 ) to three ( 3) guns owned by a natural person to the national territory . every ( 5) years

Submit personal identity . ; [ ]
Cédula de Identidad Personal
Duplicado de Cédulas ( Extraviadas)
Renovación de Cédula

Poder y Solicitud. [ plain paper , through an attorney, to the Ministerio de Gobierno y Justicia, detailing what you want to import and precise indication of the use will and justification of its necessity. ]


Attach four dollars ( B/.4.00 ) in fiscal stamps to Poder y Solicitud. [ ]


Place of origin of what is imported. [ ]


A copy of the invoice. [ ]


Submit catalog or a photograph of the gun , where you see the serial number, type, brand and size of the weapon. [ ]


Prove the gun registry in their country of origin. [ ]


Immigration Status in Panama