Firearms in Ecuador

I'm an 100% pro-gun, many years in USPSC, so I'll cover this for those who're interested.
Until recently it was real easy: you choose a gun in the store, leave them some deposit, then go to an Army Base to the permits department. There you pass a written psycho test (a word about the test: real easy with 300 stupid multiple choice questions... The catch - there is a question in the middle which has no reasonable answer to choose, you go the a man/woman in charge and report the question, they will pass you right there.) If you are a citizen - your permit is ready in 30-60 min, if you are a resident, the next step is to pass an interview with a commanding officer and that's it. Everything is Spanish of course... You return to the store and pick up your gun which you can concealed-carry anywhere in Ecuador. it is easy to associate yourself with one of the shooting clubs: military, police etc. Santa Barbara (a military base and a shooting club)for example let me use their range for free. In Quito they have a Pichincha Open (provincial) every month - pretty big competition with 5-7 stages and 50-60 people participating.
The cost of guns and ammo is a downside... First, there are only 9mm. You probably can find 40 or 45, but then you'll have a problem finding ammo. A box of 50 9mm FMJ 115 or 124gr South American brand - $25.00... Santa Barbara being an ammunition factory sells me for $0.30 a round. New: Taurus - $1,000 - $1,200. CZ - $1,600. Glock - $2,200 if you find any.
Recently the government suspended all the permits until further notice and prohibited carrying. Anyone with a recent or expired permit can keep at home though. Rumors are that an army will transfer the gun control to the police. As of august 2009 - we keep them home...

Last edited by sh0man (2009-08-23 02:07:32)