Bogota Begins Gun Ban

InsightSur ^ | February 5, 2012 | Editor of InsightSur

[InsightSur]

As mayor of Bogota, Gustavo Petro has put forth a ban on carrying guns in public even with a legal permit.

Skeptics have countered that criminals will not follow the ban, and the result will only disarm citizens legally carry guns for security reasons.

In 2002 Brazil implemented restrictions which made it virtually impossible for citizens to obtain a permit. According to Brazil’s National Confederation of Municipalities as recently as 2008, more than half of the homocides in Brazil were perpetrated with a firearm, despite restrictions on legal ownership of firearms. The nation suffers at three times the global average in terms of homicide.

As a senator, Petro was antagonistic to the Presidency of Álvaro Uribe despite Uribe’s 70% popularity rating when leaving office.

Ironically, while he is currently advocating restrictions on citizen’s owning firearms for protection, Gustavo was a member of militant organizations during his youth, and was involved with a militant group known as M-19 which was responsible for the kidnapping of the leader of the conservative party in Colombia in 1988, and the death of Nicolás Escobar Soto who wasthe CEO of Texas Petroleum in Colombia. Gustavo Petro has also made accusations that the guerrilla group FARC is a group of "right-wing criminals."

[InsightSur]

As they say, if guns are illegal, only criminals will have them.

[Recon Dad]

Having been to Bogota a few times it was a fairly dangerous place back in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. shootouts would breakout on the streets for various reasons. It used to be the illegal emerald trade and later the drugs took over.
You never drive in downtown Bogota with your windows rolled down.
But all and all it's a great cosmopolitan city with great restaurants and people.

[InsightSur]

You are/were a brave man.

I hear that the 2000s have been much calmer, especially after Álvaro Uribe’s presidency.

[Recon Dad]

Not too brave just keep your head down and stay inconspicuious.

The last time I was there was 2007 to see my uncle before he past away. We traveled quite a bit in Bogota and out to Zipaquira and down to Girardot with no problems at all. Colombia is the most beautiful country I’ve been to outside the US.