What is Nicaragua's gun ownership policy and gun laws?
Mike Cobb - ECI Development
It is possible to own a gun in Nicaragua. Gun ownership in Nicaragua is subject to a background check and a shooting test at the police firing range. A permit is issued for each weapon owned. In order to obtain a concealed carry permit for a pistol, there is a thorough regimen of the following:
- Psychological test
- Background check through the police department
- Become a resident
- Certification of the firearm, including registration within 15...
It is possible to own a gun in Nicaragua. Gun ownership in Nicaragua is subject to a background check and a shooting test at the police firing range. A permit is issued for each weapon owned. In order to obtain a concealed carry permit for a pistol, there is a thorough regimen of the following:
- Psychological test
- Background check through the police department
- Become a resident
- Certification of the firearm, including registration within 15 days of purchase
- Firearm education at the police academy
- Fees of approximately $100
- Photo and registration of the firearm registered to you with card on file at the local police station
Posted January 19, 2014
Esteban Duque Estrada - Benard & Brenes Law Firm
To own a gun in Nicaragua you must first become a resident of the country. Once your residency has been approved, you may purchase a gun and register it (Law number 510). In order to register your gun you will require:
- Copy of Residency ID Card
- Local Police Record
- Judicial Certificate which states that you are not involved in a trial at the moment.
- Local Medical Certificate.
- Physical Certificate.
- Psychological Certificate.
- ...
To own a gun in Nicaragua you must first become a resident of the country. Once your residency has been approved, you may purchase a gun and register it (Law number 510). In order to register your gun you will require:
- Copy of Residency ID Card
- Local Police Record
- Judicial Certificate which states that you are not involved in a trial at the moment.
- Local Medical Certificate.
- Physical Certificate.
- Psychological Certificate.
- Police training certificate on firearms.
- Registration of the gun and photo at the local Police Station.
If someone is interested in manufacturing munitions and firearms in the country, he/she would have to apply for residency as an investor, which grants you a permanent resident status. The amount of your investment must be US $30,000. A license must be acquired from the state for such an endeavor as well as for the importing and exporting of firearms.
Posted June 27, 2014
Juan Carlos Espinosa - Hacienda Puerta del Cielo Ecolodge & Spa
My understanding is that in Nicaragua, in order to get a permit to carry a concealed weapon, you have to be a legal resident of Nicaragua.
I recently went through the paperwork to get a gun in Nicaragua, so I can tell you about the process from my personal experience, assuming that the process would be the same for you.
The first thing you will have to do is to get a police report that states that you have no criminal...
My understanding is that in Nicaragua, in order to get a permit to carry a concealed weapon, you have to be a legal resident of Nicaragua.
I recently went through the paperwork to get a gun in Nicaragua, so I can tell you about the process from my personal experience, assuming that the process would be the same for you.
The first thing you will have to do is to get a police report that states that you have no criminal issues. After that, you will have to go to the courts and get documentation that states that you’re not involved in any litigation that could be an issue. Third, in order to get my gun permit here in Nicaragua, you will have to get a psychological evaluation. Fourth, you will need to get a health certificate. After that, the police will interview the people around where you live in your community to make sure that they don’t have any problem with you carrying a gun. Then, the police will decide whether you can get a permit. It’s Law 512 that sets the parameters on who can carry a concealed weapon in Nicaragua.
Posted August 6, 2014
David Smith - Farmland Assets
It used to be easy to get a gun permit in Nicaragua, but from what I’ve heard from my friends, getting a gun permit in Nicaragua is becoming more difficult than it was in the past. The government of Nicaragua has put in a system now where they do serious background checks, I believe you need to take a psychiatric examination, etc.
Even though the ability to own a gun in Nicaragua is more strictly controlled, one can own a gun here.
Even though the ability to own a gun in Nicaragua is more strictly controlled, one can own a gun here.
It used to be easy to get a gun permit in Nicaragua, but from what I’ve heard from my friends, getting a gun permit in Nicaragua is becoming more difficult than it was in the past. The government of Nicaragua has put in a system now where they do serious background checks, I believe you need to take a psychiatric examination, etc.
Even though the ability to own a gun in Nicaragua is more strictly controlled, one can own a gun here.
Even though the ability to own a gun in Nicaragua is more strictly controlled, one can own a gun here.
Posted August 9, 2014
Daniel Snider - Snider's Realty Nicaragua
The gun laws in Nicaragua are not very strict but just like anywhere else, there is a process to follow. You have to be a resident of Nicaragua to get a gun and you should have a license to hold and carry a firearm. Getting a license is a tedious process and it involves a lot of bureaucracy. It might even take 1 to 2 years because they do a lot of background checks. If you are an expat, they might even do a background check in your country of origin to see...
The gun laws in Nicaragua are not very strict but just like anywhere else, there is a process to follow. You have to be a resident of Nicaragua to get a gun and you should have a license to hold and carry a firearm. Getting a license is a tedious process and it involves a lot of bureaucracy. It might even take 1 to 2 years because they do a lot of background checks. If you are an expat, they might even do a background check in your country of origin to see if you have any prior records. After all that, then you will have your license to carry a firearm.
My dad has been a resident of Nicaragua for the the past 18 years. He is an ex-Vietnam veteran, and he has a firearm that he carries around with him for protection that he does legally with a firearm license.
Posted December 4, 2014
Eddy Marin-Ruiz - The Mortgage Store Nicaragua
In Nicaragua, you have the right to own firearms. You do have to register at the local police station or the police commissioner. There is a permit to carry that goes to the commissioner. The US embassy does not recommend gun ownership. Nicaragua has bans on assault rifles that you cannot import. For importation of guns, you have to fill out paperwork ahead of time with the local police station division and you have to bring the bill lf sale that shows that you have...
In Nicaragua, you have the right to own firearms. You do have to register at the local police station or the police commissioner. There is a permit to carry that goes to the commissioner. The US embassy does not recommend gun ownership. Nicaragua has bans on assault rifles that you cannot import. For importation of guns, you have to fill out paperwork ahead of time with the local police station division and you have to bring the bill lf sale that shows that you have ownership of the firearm.
I am not very educated in the process because I still have my firearm in the US because I fear that they will be taken when I try to bring them in. I still do not have 100% confidence that I could bring guns from the US to Nicaragua yet.
I believe you have to establish residency in Nicaragua to purchase firearms.
(Colt Single Action Army revolver, chosen as the official firearm of the state of Arizona, pictured.)
Posted August 7, 2015
Jewel Hoff - Tierra de los Suenos
Recently, I purchased a rifle so I know a little about the gun laws. The gun laws in Nicaragua are basically the same as the US.You have to take a class because they want to make sure you know how to use your gun. Then, you get your permit. As a resident you can own your own gun. As a non-resident, you can buy a gun, put it in somebody else’s name and have that person, for example a security guard who is certified, have it. That’s what I do in my...
Recently, I purchased a rifle so I know a little about the gun laws. The gun laws in Nicaragua are basically the same as the US.You have to take a class because they want to make sure you know how to use your gun. Then, you get your permit. As a resident you can own your own gun. As a non-resident, you can buy a gun, put it in somebody else’s name and have that person, for example a security guard who is certified, have it. That’s what I do in my farm.
For a Nicaraguan resident, it’s not difficult to get a permit. In our case, it took two days. I don’t have my permit because I’m not a resident. When I do become a resident, I don’t foresee any problems at all getting certified. Nicaragua has a good amount of freedom in that way. In other countries they’re trying to take away your rights. Here, it’s granted.
(Poster for the movie, Walker, set in Nicaragua, pictured.)
Posted September 24, 2015
Carlos Roman Gutierrez Solis - Casa Granada Properties
Nicaragua has gun ownership regulations like in any other country. Nicaraguans and expats who are Nicaragua residents can buy pistols and rifles from gun stores as long as they have complete requirements. You would need to get your records from the police, pay some fees, and pass a psychological test specific for gun ownership. Expats need to be residents and not just hold temporary visas.
You would also need to apply for...
Nicaragua has gun ownership regulations like in any other country. Nicaraguans and expats who are Nicaragua residents can buy pistols and rifles from gun stores as long as they have complete requirements. You would need to get your records from the police, pay some fees, and pass a psychological test specific for gun ownership. Expats need to be residents and not just hold temporary visas.
You would also need to apply for a license with a specific ID for each gun that you own. There are no restrictions on the number of guns that one person can own.
However, there are restrictions depending on age and people with police records. The government would not issue permits to people who have had previous issues with the law. In Nicaragua, a person is considered an adult when they reach 21 years of age. A person below 21 years of age will not be issued gun permits.
If you don't have a gun but want to practice shooting, there are some private shooting ranges where people can rent guns and even receive instruction on how to use a gun.
I've been to some shooting ranges and I like it. Personally, I don't have a gun because I don't want to have a gun at home. However, if I want to release some stress, I go to a shooting range for practice shooting.
Anyone can go to a shooting range and rent a gun to practice shooting within the premises. However, you cannot bring out the gun from the property, especially if you don't have a license to carry a gun.
Nicaragua also has a national shooting team that competes.
There is a different process for bringing guns into Nicaragua. An American who wants to bring in a gun from the United States would need to know that the process takes a long time, costs money, and a lawyer is needed, but it is possible to bring in their guns into the country.
(IPSC Nicaragua shooting competition, pictured.)
Posted July 17, 2017