We’ve reported before about Argentina President Javier Milei expanding access to firearms for law-abiding Argentinians. In December, we wrote about him lowering the minimum age for the acquisition, possession, and carrying of firearms for civilian use from 21 to 18, to coincide with the legal age of majority. Now, the populist that some consider South America’s Donald Trump, has done it again.
Breitbart reports, “Milei signed a decree (June 18) broadening gun rights in the country by allowing Argentine civilians to purchase and possess semiautomatic weapons for the first time in 30 years.” It rescinds a 1995 prohibition on the acquisition and possession of virtually all semi-automatic firearms chambered above .22 caliber and capable of using a detachable magazine.
There were some exemptions to the 1995 restrictions. However, over the 30 years since implementation, the regulatory agency that oversaw compliance with the exemptions established policies and regulations that seemed designed to keep the issuance of permits “to a minimum,” which was highlighted in the more recent decree.
While there will still be restrictions and burdens to overcome in order to lawfully acquire and possess the affected semi-autos, this is certainly progress. And, lamentably, even with the restrictions in place, Argentina law is more permissive than some states and jurisdictions within the U.S. when it comes to these types of firearms; and Argentina doesn’t even have a provision within its constitution that protects an individual right to arms!
Milei, like Donald Trump, campaigned on the promise of reducing firearm restrictions in his country, and he has clearly made some bold steps in that direction. This is a stark difference from some of the country’s old actions, such as in 2007, when it was reported the government destroyed 70,000 firearms as part of its National Voluntary Gun Handover Plan.
And there may be more progress on the horizon. Breitbart notes, “At press time, a bill introduced in the Argentine Congress aims to regularize gun ownership by simplifying the required procedures. At press time, the bill was approved by the Chamber of Deputies but is yet to be approved by the Senate.”
We are always glad to see when other countries make the correct decision to trust and respect law-abiding gun owners, and it is likely that Milei’s recent action is part of the reason he is considered one of the most popular world leaders.
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