Firearm importation

[JudyKerr 0]

Is it worth the hassle to import a firearm? would purchasing a firearm in CR be more advantageous should one want to own a firearm upon becoming a legal resident? Would appreciate anyone sharing their experience.

[CMinCR 0]

Importing a firearm is very tedious, slow, etc. "Hassle" is a good description.

 

It would likely not be much cheaper, and much slower, than purchasing (new or used) here. There are many good gun stores, and even an importer with excellent selection in San Jose.

 

The requirements for owning a firearm are pretty strict. The primary one is that you must be a Permanent resident "libre condición", not a Temporary (Pensionado, Rentista, etc)... So if you haven't achieved Permanent residency you'll need to get that before importing or buying.

 

Colin

Edited July 25, 2014 by CMinCR

[David C. Murray 0]

. . . and becoming a permanent legal resident typically takes about five years. It seems that becoming a temporary legal resident is now taking a year or longer. Then, after you've been a legal temporary resident for three years, you can apply to become a permanent legal resident. That'll take another year or so.

 

Only after becoming a permanent legal resident can you commence the process of obtaining a permit to possess a firearm.

 

Non-residents (tourists, mostly) cannot possess a firearm except under a very few and very restrictive conditions. Almost no one would qualify.

[costaricafinca 0]

Once a legal temporary resident, you can purchase, through your S.A., a firearm, but it must stay in a 'specific location/address', such as in a business office and should/must not be moved/carried, elsewhere. You can't get a 'permit to carry', until you are a Permanent resident and have taken the necessary instruction and passed the psychological test.

 

Importing firearms

[David C. Murray 0]

 

As with so many things that are posted on the Internet, the article you cite isn't dated, so it's impossible to know if the information is current or not. Best to engage a competent Costa Rican attorney to research the current state of affairs before undertaking this project.

[costaricafinca 0]

Getting current information from a lawyer is the right way to go about it.

 

This other info, Guns in Costa Rica - Ownership and Registration is dated Nov 2007...and we know that some many things have changed since then.

[CMinCR 0]

CRF (and "Legs") unfortunately that is no longer correct. Or at least not completely correct.

 

When they changed the law requiring Permanent "libre condición" status to purchase a firearm or to get a carry permit they also added a requirement to the S.A. The legal representative of the S.A. must be a C.R. citizen or a Permanent resident "libre condición".

 

So to purchase a firearm using an S.A. you'll need an eligible person to be the responsible party, (which also makes them responsible in case of problems.)

 

On the other hand, if you purchase a corporation that happens to own a firearm, that situation isn't addressed.

 

Information is on the government Armas y Explosivos website (which is down at the moment)... http://www.msp.go.cr/tramites_servicios/armas_explosivos.aspx

Edited July 25, 2014 by CMinCR

[SEATURTLEWOMAN 0]

Being an ex-cop, I am going to feel naked without my guns!!

[David C. Murray 0]

Well then, maybe you should rethink all this since it'll take about five years to achieve permanent legal resident status after which time you can apply for a "carry" permit. Wouldn't want you to get a sunburn while you wait.

 

 

Edited July 25, 2014 by David C. Murray

[costaricafinca 0]

Thanks for this additional information, CMinCr.

[SEATURTLEWOMAN 0]

Legs, I'll just get me an attack snake instead!!