Patricia Bullrich described it as “historic” that 18-year-olds are “legitimate users of weapons”

He Government reduced the minimum age to 18 years to be legitimate gun user with the publication of Decree 1081/2024 in it Official Gazette. The measure, which generated a stir in the public debate, was supported by the Minister of National Security who described the change made by the Government as “historic”: “Empty speeches are in the past. In this Government, we make the right of Argentines to protect themselves and live in freedom a reality”.

In detail, the Libertarian administration modified the Law 20,429, which dated from 1975which provided that people could be legitimate users of weapons only from the age of 21. “For years, no one dared to make this decision. We do not doubt“said the minister.

Patricia Bullrich supported the reduction of the minimum age to acquire or possess a weapon

Following the Government’s measure, every citizen will be able to legitimate gun user from 18 years of ageas long as it complies with the rest of the requirements and current legislation. After the commotion generated by the decision, Bullrich used his social networks to support the measure taken by the libertarian administration.

“From now on, those over 18 years of age can be Legitimate Users of weapons. This measure, which we promote from the National Government, updates an obsolete norm from 1975 and respects the Reform of the Civil Code of 2015, which established the age of majority in 18 years,” the official initially explained.

Then, in the face of criticism, Bullrich declared: “To those 16 years old have the right to vote. To the 18 years old can go to warstart a family or be members of a security force. And, although it may seem incredible, at any age they can choose a sex change that will mark them for life. So, why at 18 years old couldn’t they be legitimate users or carriers of a weapon?” Bullrich slipped with some irony.

“For years, no one dared to make this decision. We do not hesitate. While we disarm narco-terrorist gangs and organized crime, we celebrate that good citizens can access weapons as Legitimate Users,” added the Minister of Security.

Finally, Bullrich stated that “empty speeches are in the past” and highlighted that the Government made “reality the right of Argentines to protect themselves and live in freedom.”

The Government’s measure on the use of weapons

Decree 1081/2024 published on Tuesday in the Official Gazette modifies the regulations of law 20,429 of 1975, which had provided for authorization only from the age of 21.

“It is necessary to modify article 55 of the Regulations of Law 20,429 approved by Decree 395/75 and its amendments, in order to harmonize current legislation, recognizing the capacity of citizens to be legitimate users of weapons from the age of 18.” , details the official document that bears the signatures of the president Javier Mileithe chief of staff, Guillermo Francosand the Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich.

On the other hand, the original regulations included two other requirements that will remain in force. The same are: not present mental or physical abnormalities that affect possession (or in such case present a certificate) and present identity, real domicile and lawful means of livelihood.

Previously, the Government had made a modification in the requirements for the legal use of weapons: it established that users both civil use or conditional civil use they will be able renew your legitimate credential individual users without the need to present the certificate of suitability in the handling of firearms, as long as have requested it within 90 days prior to its expiration.

After the last modification, with the lowering of the age, the requirements established by article 55 to be legitimate users of weapons are:

• Be over 18 years old.
• No abnormalities psychic or physical that render the petitioner incapable of possessing firearms. When there are well-founded reasons, the presentation of medical certificate.
• Provide proof to the police department with jurisdiction over the domicile of the interested party, identity, real domicile and lawful means of livelihood. This will emit certification in this regard as well as the non-existence of police records either criminal and will print a set of fingerprint cards for the National Weapons Registry.