Free carrying of weapons can increase violence in Ecuador, say analysts
President Guillermo Lasso authorized the possession and carrying of weapons for civilian use for personal defense, nationwide. He did so on the night of April 1, 2023, after signing Executive Decree 707.

The authorization to carry weapons causes fear in various sectors of society.
The President said that the objective is to adopt an urgent measure against the criminal acts registered in the country and “against the common enemy” that Ecuador has, which is crime, drug trafficking and organized crime,” said Lasso.
However, security experts consulted by EL COMERCIO criticize this decision, considering that this resolution was taken in the heat of the situation of insecurity in the country.
In addition, analysts agree that the free carrying of arms is not going to solve structural security problems. On the contrary, they consider that there may be an increase in violence.
Analyst criteria
Diego Pérez, a security expert, believes that arming citizens does not necessarily mean more security. “The structural problem is not common crime, but organized crime.”
In addition, he considers that this measure, instead of curbing crime, could cause an increase in violence. “The free carrying of weapons will allow crime to increase its force and act with more violence against the victims.” For example, pointing a gun at a criminal could cause him to shoot first when feeling threatened.
Pérez also believes that the free carrying of arms can cause people to form paramilitary groups, since “the public feels that the State is deficient in guaranteeing the security of citizens.”
The researcher on security issues, Lautaro Ojeda, does not agree with the free carrying of weapons either. He maintains that training is required to use a firearm, since he maintains that inexperience can cause errors when shooting, that is, there may be stray bullets that affect innocent people.
For his part, the university professor, Diego Pontón , considers that this decision does not solve the structural problem of security.
“This measure is a sign that the State cannot fight crime and that is why it wants to give citizens that task, but that would bring many more problems than solutions,” said Pontón.
He believes that there will be people who obtain the permit to possess and carry weapons legally and expeditiously. But he also believes that “there is a risk” that certain people access that permission through corruption.
Requirements to obtain a permit to carry weapons in Ecuador
To obtain the permit to possess and carry weapons, people must meet certain requirements. These are: Being at least 25 years old, having a psychological test certificate issued by the Ministry of Public Health, having a certificate of skill in the handling and use of weapons issued by the Ministry of National Defense.
In addition, not having executed convictions for committing a crime, not registering a history of violence against women or members of the family nucleus, obtaining a certificate of having passed a toxicological test, which determines that the person does not take drugs and is not an alcoholic, issued by Ministry of Public Health. And other requirements established by the Ministry of National Defense and the Joint Command of the Armed Forces.
https://www.elcomercio.com/actualidad/seguridad/libre-porte-armas-incremento-violencia-ecuador.html