Thread: Are firearms legal for expats in Panama?

Can foreigners living in Panama on a retirement visa legally own firearms? I would be interested in keeping a shotgun or revolver in my home strictly for self defense purposes. I know home invasions can be an issue in some areas and have read that if you put the word out in your neighborhood that you have a gun in the house the potential robbers may think twice before trying to break into your home. Also, if ownership is permitted, is it best to bring the firearms with you or buy them in Panama?

not sure if you are here on the pension visa if you can own guns , some of the other visas you can .i have heard you do not want to tell anyone that you have a gun as it can make you a target ,bad guys need guns , if someone comes to your door on a sunday afternoon are you going to have it in your hand when you open the door ? no chances are you are not , but they might have theres , and now they can step over your dead body and look for yours . you can bring them if you have all your paperwork in order , buying here will cost you twice as much as in the states , and do not ship guns down with your other things , they just changed the law to 7 yrs for a unlicenced gun

Thanks for the response. We had heard the opposite, that if it's known that you have a gun in your house that people will leave you alone. But what you say also makes a lot of sense. I don't really see the need for one but my wife is being insistent that we have one in the house. I think a well trained German Shepard or Rotti is just as effective, maybe more so.

i have read if the dogs are outside they just poison them , if they are inside that is different , but you also have to remember what the old sarg said ,( if there is lead in the air , there is hope ). look up tauras judge on the net , it is the perfect house gun , 5 shot pistol , 410 shotgun , here they cost $1200 , and i would think about $500 in the USA

Originally Posted by theblues

Can foreigners living in Panama on a retirement visa legally own firearms? I would be interested in keeping a shotgun or revolver in my home strictly for self defense purposes. I know home invasions can be an issue in some areas and have read that if you put the word out in your neighborhood that you have a gun in the house the potential robbers may think twice before trying to break into your home. Also, if ownership is permitted, is it best to bring the firearms with you or buy them in Panama?

Contact me off-line. I have a contact in Panama who can answer most, if not all of your questions.

That is good information to know since I am a retired federal law-enforcement officer and I want to keep my skills sharp and protect myself and family!

I can't imagine not having a firearm in my home. I don't think it wise to advertise anything of value you keep in your home especially guns. Gringos are singled out because of their perceived wealth. If there is a knock at my door and I don't recognize the person I will not open it. The last thing anyone wants is to be in a situation where deadly force is called for, but it is better than the alternative. It is my understanding from what I have read that once you are iisued for permit you can carry the gun on your person. There have been a rash of home invasions in Chiriqui the past couple of years including one the week before last where the expat was tied and beat to death. In his case I think drugs may have been involved because they found pot plants. A gun might not always work but it is tool I would rather have than not.

dont know if its legal or not, but ran into this ad, and remembered this topic, for whoever is interested.

Used Car | Eagle STUNGUNS 3.2 Panama 2010 | REMATO X HOY REVENDEDORES STUNGUNS3.2 MILLONES 9 UNIDADES

Originally Posted by janl

dont know if its legal or not, but ran into this ad, and remembered this topic, for whoever is interested.

Used Car | Eagle STUNGUNS 3.2 Panama 2010 | REMATO X HOY REVENDEDORES STUNGUNS3.2 MILLONES 9 UNIDADES

From what I have read they are legal. I read where Don Winner allegedly threatened Okke Orenstein with one (go Don). The article says don was fined for threatening not for carrying. They are tiny now and fit in the palm of your hand. I don't see the downside of carrying. Odds of ever having to use it is pretty remote I would think.

Someone once asked me why I carry & I told them that : I was too young to die and too old to take an ass whupping ! !

Never did believe in abdicating responsibility for my own safety. By the time the boys in blue get there all that will remain is to pick up the pieces.

if anyone ever asks you why you want to carry a gun , just tell them you are not strong enough to carry a cop






l

Originally Posted by fleeted

I can't imagine not having a firearm in my home. I don't think it wise to advertise anything of value you keep in your home especially guns. Gringos are singled out because of their perceived wealth. If there is a knock at my door and I don't recognize the person I will not open it. The last thing anyone wants is to be in a situation where deadly force is called for, but it is better than the alternative. It is my understanding from what I have read that once you are iisued for permit you can carry the gun on your person. There have been a rash of home invasions in Chiriqui the past couple of years including one the week before last where the expat was tied and beat to death. In his case I think drugs may have been involved because they found pot plants. A gun might not always work but it is tool I would rather have than not.

When we lived in Panama City, we had bars on all of the windows in our home, and all of our doors were steel security doors. We didn't get too many unannounced visitors, but the ones we did have, I ALWAYS answered the door (night or day) with one of my handguns held behind my back. Most of the time, the visit turned out to be innocent. There was one time, about 10:00 PM when a kid knocked on the door and asked to use the phone because he had "been involved in a car accident". I kept the security door closed & I noticed him trying to look around me trying to see into my home. I asked him where his car was because I didn't see one (wrecked or otherwise) in front of my home. He gave me some BS answer and insisted he needed to use the phone. I noticed a couple of people in the shadows of our bushes along the street and I was pretty sure I was being setup. When I brought the gun in front of me and put it in my waistband, the kid saw it and he and his two buddies ran like hell down the street and I never saw them again.

Even without the gun(s), I don't think they could have gained entry to my home, but I sure felt a lot better knowing I had more than a few loaded firearms in my home (in addition to the unbelievably loud alarm system we had).

I hope to God I never have to use a firearm to defend my family or my property. But if the need arises, I will do so without a second thought.

You can get a firearms permit on a pensionado visa. I know someone that has one - said it took him a year and a half to get it. He never leaves home without his Glock.

Originally Posted by CyberKat17

You can get a firearms permit on a pensionado visa. I know someone that has one - said it took him a year and a half to get it. He never leaves home without his Glock.

I wonder how the authorities would be towards an expat who was forced to use his weapon in self defense against a Panamanian citizen?

A good question, something I was thinking about myself last night.

Originally Posted by fleeted

I wonder how the authorities would be towards an expat who was forced to use his weapon in self defense against a Panamanian citizen?

As a law-enforcement officer, I know how important it is to be prepared when your life is in danger.

Well you know the old saying....i'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6 !

and also remember , if there is lead in the air , there is hope

Originally Posted by nakedguydb

and also remember , if there is lead in the air , there is hope

My personal favorite, "If guns are outlawed the only outlaws will have guns"

I suppose if handguns etc are allowed then its a no brainier that Tasers would be ok/legal...also less hassle with the cops later.

I heard there is a moratorium on gun permits in Panama. Anyone have any info or clarification of this?

Here's what I was told when I last checked about 2 years ago: you can get a Panama permit to purchase and own (including carry) a firearm, and you are limited to one per person. I was also told that getting permission to import one of your own is an expensive and lengthy process, more than wiping out the savings over buying in Panama. As with most times dealing with the gov't, help from a lawyer can be money well spent. AND, I would be very discrete with the weapon- they are expensive and coveted by the bad guys! So, as I said, this is not necessarily current info- check with a lawyer!

Originally Posted by fleeted

I heard there is a moratorium on gun permits in Panama. Anyone have any info or clarification of this?

yes , everything is on hold , they are not giving permits , the gun shops are fighting the goverment every way they can , i know i am waiting , my paper work is sitting in some DIJ office somewhere . but never ship one down undeclared , new law 7 years . and i would think 7 years here , would be like 20 up home , but hey , you would know spanish when / if you got out LOL

Any developments on this moratorium?

When I brought the gun in front of me and put it in my waistband, the kid saw it and he and his two buddies ran like hell down the street

They were running to tell their friends that they need to burglarize your house as soon as you leave - to steal the gun. :-). OK, sounds like they never got around to it (but that's a Panamanian thing).

More seriously, that would be my guess - safer while home but a more likely to be burglarized when you aren't.

Originally Posted by Sir Stressalot

Any developments on this moratorium?

yes the slow train is back on the tracks , now you just have to wait until it gets into the station , about 1 yr

Originally Posted by jonr

They were running to tell their friends that they need to burglarize your house as soon as you leave - to steal the gun. :-). OK, sounds like they never got around to it (but that's a Panamanian thing).

More seriously, that would be my guess - safer while home but a more likely to be burglarized when you aren't.

That would have been interesting also - my two German Shepherds could have used the exercise!

And if the burglars still happened to be there (alive or eaten) when I returned, the handgun(s) I was licensed to carry (and always had with me) might have come in handy also!