Arms and Explosives Law (Law No. 7530) – permitted weapons, registration, carry permit

The Arms and Explosives Law (Law No. 7530, 1995) regulates the acquisition, possession, registration, carrying, sale, import, export and manufacture of weapons, ammunition and explosives in Costa Rica.

Key distinction — owning a weapon is NOT the same as carrying it: the law separates two different concepts that are often confused. Having a weapon registered at home (Articulo 21) is a right for the legal safety and defence of the residents. Carrying it outside the home (“carrying”) additionally requires a CARRY PERMIT (Articulo 35) — having the weapon registered does not automatically authorize you to walk with it on the street.

Permitted weapons (Articulo 20): pistols and revolvers of caliber 5.6 mm (.22) up to 18.5 mm (.12), revolvers and semi‑automatic pistols up to .45 caliber, shotguns up to 12 gauge, and carbines or rifles up to .460 caliber — provided they are not automatic. Anything that does not fall within this classification (Articulo 25) is considered a prohibited weapon.

Requirements to own and carry permitted weapons (Articulo 22): be at least 18 years old, have no conviction for crimes related to weapon use, and not be barred by a judicial resolution from using weapons. Persons serving a prison sentence, or who have a physical or mental impediment to handling a weapon (Articulo 7), also may not carry weapons.

How many weapons can be registered (Articulo 23): an individual may register no more than 3 weapons for personal safety, family and property — a higher number can be requested only with justified reasons before the Departamento de Control de Armas y Explosivos del Ministerio de Seguridad Publica. Registrations of permitted weapons are indefinite (they do not expire).

The carry permit is separate and DOES expire (Articulos 35‑39): it is valid for 2 years (renewable), and to obtain it you must pass a theoretical‑practical exam and demonstrate knowledge of safety rules. It can be denied if there are criminal records related to weapons or a judicial disqualification (Articulo 40).

Knives (Articulo 97, last paragraph): carrying a “bladed weapon” whose blade exceeds 9 centimetres without a permit carries the same criminal penalty as illegally carrying a firearm — a little‑known detail.

Most relevant penalties (Articulos 88‑98):

• Possessing a weapon without the permit or registration: prison of 50 to 100 days.
• Carrying without authorization or without a permit a permitted weapon (or a knife with a blade longer than 9 cm): prison of 3 months to 1 year.
• Owning prohibited weapons: prison of 2 to 5 years.
• Stockpiling prohibited weapons (more than 3): prison of 3 to 6 years.
• Importing into the country or trafficking prohibited weapons/explosives: prison of 3 to 8 years.

Note: this summary sheet condenses a 101‑article law focused on the civilian weapons regime (it does not detail the special regime of the police forces, nor the technical classification regulations). To process a registration or a carry permit, the procedure is carried out before the Departamento de Control de Armas y Explosivos del Ministerio de Seguridad Publica.