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Argentina repealed a three-decade prohibition on civilian ownership of semi-automatic weapons Wednesday, marking the latest expansion of gun rights under far-right President Javier Milei's administration.
The regulatory change, published in the official government gazette, permits "legitimate users" to "acquire and possess semi-automatic weapons with detachable magazines, similar to assault rifles, carbines or submachine guns derived from military-use firearms."
The weapons categories had been restricted exclusively to military personnel since the ban's implementation in the 1990s.
The decision represents a significant shift in Argentina's firearms policy under Milei, who has systematically dismantled gun restrictions since taking office. As a legislator, Milei advocated for unrestricted weapon carrying, though he tempered his position during his 2023 presidential campaign, stating he had no intention of completely deregulating firearms ownership.
Despite those campaign assurances, Milei's government has pursued sweeping liberalization of gun laws. In late 2024, authorities reduced the minimum age for firearm ownership from 21 to 18 years old. The administration followed in May with the launch of an expedited online licensing system for civilians seeking weapons for sporting purposes.
Argentina maintains relatively low gun ownership rates compared to regional neighbors. Government statistics show fewer than one million of the country's 45 million citizens hold gun licenses, with approximately two-thirds of those permits having expired.
The policy shift comes as Milei continues implementing his libertarian agenda across multiple sectors of Argentine society, having already pursued dramatic economic reforms and reduced government regulations in various industries.
The new regulations take effect immediately, though specific implementation procedures for civilian acquisition of the previously banned weapons remain unclear.
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