In a move bound to make gun control advocates squirm and freedom-loving Argentines cheer, President Javier Milei has decisively expanded the rights of citizens to arm themselves. On Wednesday, Milei signed a landmark decree, ending a 30-year-old prohibition on civilian ownership of semi-automatic firearms—a restriction imposed by the late President Carlos Menem back in 1995. For millions of Argentines who cherish self-defense and individual liberty, this correction of past overreach is long overdue.
The decree—also signed by Cabinet Chief Guillermo Francos and Security Minister Patricia Bullrich—does not merely remove outdated restrictions; it creates a new, clearly defined process for civilians to lawfully acquire semi-automatic weapons. Under oversight by the National Agency for Controlled Materials (ANMAC), individuals can now legally obtain these firearms by demonstrating legitimate sporting use and meeting specific criteria. This prudent approach balances individual rights with public safety, rejecting bureaucratic obstruction and restoring trust in responsible citizens.
This decision wasn’t made lightly. According to the Argentine government, thirty years of restrictive policies had created a bureaucratic maze, making lawful gun ownership increasingly difficult and pushing otherwise law-abiding citizens into unnecessary illegality. Moreover, these outdated regulations prevented individuals who had legally purchased semi-automatic weapons before 1995 from properly registering or transferring them, leaving thousands of Argentines trapped in legal limbo.
President Milei’s administration, true to its promises, has consistently championed deregulation, personal responsibility, and individual freedoms. This latest decree is part of ongoing efforts to simplify and digitize gun ownership procedures, removing unnecessary hurdles that punish responsible citizens. Juan Pablo Allan, national director of ANMAC, put it succinctly to La Nación: “We want to make it easy to be within the law. It is convenient for the state to know who has weapons and where they have them. And to the citizens it is necessary to simplify the way to regularity.”
Argentine law still requires prospective gun owners to obtain a Credential of Legitimate Firearms User (CLU). This credential mandates identity verification, criminal record checks, psychological and physical exams, and proof of responsible firearm ownership. Far from an open-door policy for criminals, Milei’s decree institutes a commonsense framework that rewards lawful behavior while maintaining stringent safeguards.
Through the course of the past three decades, the government emphasized, ANMAC developed a profuse administrative doctrine on possible authorizations that led to more restrictive and rigorous criteria tending to restrict the granting of such permits to a minimum.
Critics on the left are already sounding the alarm, claiming this expansion of gun rights will spark chaos. But facts from around the world repeatedly contradict this tired narrative. Nations with robust, lawful gun ownership frameworks routinely experience lower crime rates and safer communities. When citizens can responsibly defend their homes and families, criminals think twice. Milei understands this fundamental truth, and his administration has boldly acted upon it.
Furthermore, this isn’t a standalone measure. Last December, President Milei lowered the minimum age for firearm ownership from 21 to 18, correcting what the government rightly called a “legal incongruity.” If young adults can vote, serve their nation, and enter contracts, they should unquestionably possess the right to defend themselves and their loved ones. This consistent philosophy shows Milei’s trust in the maturity and responsibility of Argentine youth.
It’s clear Argentina is shifting towards a vision that conservatives worldwide can support: a government that respects personal freedoms, rejects burdensome bureaucracy, and places faith in responsible citizens rather than overbearing state control. President Milei’s actions should inspire those in our own nation who value liberty and the constitutional right to bear arms.
Now, the Argentine Congress has the opportunity to embrace these reforms fully. A bill currently pending Senate approval would further streamline firearm registration procedures, enhancing transparency and efficiency. Freedom-loving Argentines and conservatives everywhere should hope their representatives recognize the wisdom of President Milei’s approach. After decades of restrictive policies that punished responsible citizens, Argentina is finally returning power to the people, where it rightfully belongs.
