In Honduras, the commerce, ownership, possession and use of firearms is regulated.[1] Escalation in crime and the use of firearms in the commission of crimes and homicides has brought political and public discourse to consider regulation of arms.[2]
Up until 1985, there was no official regulation of gun ownership and possession by private citizens although Title III, Chapter IV, Article 94 of the Honduran Constitution of 1965, replaced in 1982, stated No one may possess or carry weapons without the permission of the competent authority. The law shall regulate this provision;[3] while the Constitution of 1957 on Title II, Chapter IV said The inhabitants of the republic can own and carry weapons in accordance with the law.[4]
The current Constitution of Honduras, enacted in 1982, makes no direct mention of the 'right to keep and bear arms' and the role firearms should play as a constitutional right; however, Title V, Chapter X, Article 292 ...reserve[s] as exclusive power of the Armed Forces the manufacturing, import, distribution and sale of arms, ammunition and the like.[5] Other clauses in the Constitution regarding the right of citizens to life and personal safety have served as foundation to the legislation and regulation of individuals' right to possession and the use of firearms.
Until June 2007, openly carrying a firearm in public as well carrying a concealed weapon was permitted[6] but increased attention to deaths by firearm in the country led to further restrictions on the possession of firearms. Current law still makes the purchase, ownership, and possession of firearms legal and it describes the type of firearms permitted for civilian ownership.[7] The 2007 small arms survey shows 6 guns owned per 100 citizens in Honduras.
- ^ Permanent Mission of Honduras to the United Nations (2004-04-28). "Gun laws in Honduras" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-18. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
- ^ Julieta Castellanos (2004-01-16). "Honduras:Violence by Numbers" (PDF). Political Database of America-Georgetown University. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
- ^ Government of Honduras (2004-04-11). "Constitution of Honduras of 1965". Mario Secoff. Archived from the original on 2012-07-07. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
- ^ Government of Honduras (2004-04-11). "Constitution of Honduras of 1957". Mario Secoff. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
- ^ Government of Honduras (2005-05-04). "Constitution of Honduras of 1982". Honduras.com. Archived from the original on 2010-09-23. Retrieved 2011-06-21.
- ^ [failed verification]Melanie Wetzel (2009-12-19). "Don't go off half-cocked; know the gun laws". HondurasThisWeek. Archived from the original on 2010-09-23. Retrieved 2011-06-21.
- ^ La Prensa Editor (2004-12-28). "Spanish: Denuncian que hay 120 mil armas ilegales en Honduras". La Prensa. Archived from the original on 2011-10-03. Retrieved 2011-06-22.
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