State Gun Laws

Under Puerto Rico law, a person cannot have or buy a gun unless s/he has a weapons license. A person cannot get a license, and therefore, cannot have or buy a gun, if s/he:

• has been convicted of or has charges pending for:
  • a felony or attempted felony;
  • a violent misdemeanor;
  • a domestic violence-related offense;
  • stalking;
  • abusing a minor; or
  • violating gun laws;
• has a mental illness that would disqualify him/her from owning a gun;¹
• is under 21 years of age;
• is habitually intoxicated;
• is addicted to drugs;
• has been declared mentally incompetent by a court;
• has been dishonorably discharged from the military or a law enforcement agency of Puerto Rico;
• has belonged to a violent group or a group that wants to overthrow the government;
• is currently the subject of, or in the last 12 months has been the subject of, a protection order that says s/he cannot harass, stalk, threaten, or be near an intimate partner, a partner’s family member, or any other person;
• is not a United States citizen or legal permanent resident of ; or
• is banned by the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968 from receiving, transporting, or sending firearms or ammunition.²

Also, federal laws, which apply to all states and territories, may restrict an abuser’s right to have a gun. Go to Federal Gun Laws to get more information.

¹ 25 L.P.R.A. § 462h
² 25 L.P.R.A. § 462a