TTAG reader AJB writes:
In Puerto Rico, you need a license to own, buy or sell a gun. The license costs $240. There’s a six-month wait. Last year, Puerto Rico expedited 19,555 gun licenses. According to elneuvodia.com, the government has expedited 10,948 licenses so far this year. That’s out of a population of 3.7 million [ED: and falling] with a homicide rate that’s seven times higher than the continental U.S. The number represents a rise of . . .
fifty-six percent over the previous year. Free Public servant permits (free to government employees, two-day wait) went from 215 to 1,071. Gun permits that require going to a judge (CCW and Police officer, article is not too clear if it includes both) went from 5,571 on 2013 to 23,121 this year.
The report says nothing about Concealed Carry Weapons permit. They costs $950. Applicants must go to court and convince a judge that they are in fear for their life. Assuming you’ve got a good lawyer (more money), anyone in good standing – no criminal record, you’ve paid your taxes, etc. – you can get the permit.
We’ll see what effect rising gun ownership has on the island’s crime rate. If any.