Firearms laws ?

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GunnarE

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Apr 5, 2002
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After looking at the archives a bit, I can't find any references to firearms laws in the Dominican Republic.

Is firearms ownership legal in the RD, and if so, where can I get the details?

I'm interested in moving to the RD, and I'd like to find out what is necessary to bring my personal weapons with me.

Specifically, I'm thinking of rifles and shotguns for hunting and target shooting. In addition to being an avid outdoorsman, I am ex-military, and a marksmanship and weapons safety instructor.

I'm not trying to start any flame wars between the [guns good] and the [guns bad] points of view, I just can't find any references to DR firearms laws.
 

Alain

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Feb 12, 2002
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Firearms

I'm not sure but I think long-range firearms are prohibited in DR, except for the police and the army. That would include all types of rifles (even a "puny" .22 cal.). There's no hunting in DR anyway... You'll find shooting ranges, though.

Shotguns and handguns are plentiful. Many gun owners (mostly Dominicans) don't have a permit. As a foreigner, in order to have a gun permit I think you must have legal residency in DR. Registration of guns is fairly expensive. But I didn't hear much on gun import. All the gun owners I know in DR bought them in the country. I know someone who imported a handgun many years ago but had it seized by Customs officials. Surely our friend Fabio will give you much more insight on that.
 

Tony C

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Alain,

There is plenty of hunting in the DR. Dove, quail, Duck, Guinea are all hunted there.
Trujillo use to release White-Tail deer in the mountains for hunting. I hear that their are still a few around. Feral pig is also hunted.
Center-fire rifles are banned from public ownership in the DR. As is Handguns in .45 ACP.
Scopes are also illegal. Go figure!

Tony C.
 

Alain

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Feb 12, 2002
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Hunting?

Tony,

What you're saying is news to me. I had heard there was no hunting. Sorry about my misinformation.

Man, the law is sure weird. Scopes prohibited? I suppose a silencer is OK???!!!!!!

So I can't have a .45 ACP but I can have a .357 magnum? That's what you're saying? Gimme the magnums anytime then!! No problem!

I know the .45 ACP is mainly a military caliber, but what's so special about it, apart from that?
 

Tony C

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The ban on .45 ownership was because the Dominican Military use to use Model 1911 .45 ACP's. So this was a way to alow handgun ownership but keep the people from having any military weapons. Go Figure. It is silly now because the DR military has switched to 9mm. I guess they use whatever the US gives them!
No Silencers are not legal.
I own various .45 and a .357. I use the .357 for target shooting. The .45's for protection! Mass over speed anyday!

Tony C.
 

PJT

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Jan 8, 2002
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Who may own or carry

Fabio,

I was inquiring with friends as to who may own and carry firearms in the RD. The responses have been varied, which means to me that nobody knows for sure. I would like to get it cleared up. Can a foriegner with a residency possess a firearm? Is there a specific law?

Regards, PJT
 

Dolores1

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May 3, 2000
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Hunting is not allowed in the DR. Check the archives, this was discussed some time in the past. From past reports, it is best to purchase your weapons through a local weapons store that will assist you with getting the permit. I would assume legal residency status is required.
 

Tony C

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Dolores said:
Hunting is not allowed in the DR. Check the archives, this was discussed some time in the past.

Really? I suggest you check again. Hunting is allowed in the DR. I have hunted any times there. With a license.

Tony C.
 

Alain

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Feb 12, 2002
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To PJT

Yes, a foreigner with residency can possess and carry firearms. I know one who does carry a gun almost at all times and he is fully licensed to do so. He probably has citizenship now, but he had a gun license long before he got his citizenship, just with his permanent residency.

(I know nothing about other requirements, though)

Alain
 

ziki

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Dec 5, 2004
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do you have any contacts?Thanx

Tony C said:
Really? I suggest you check again. Hunting is allowed in the DR. I have hunted any times there. With a license.

Tony C.
Do you have any contacts regarding dove hunting?
 

Gringo

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Jan 1, 2002
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Yes Its True!

Alain said:
Yes, a foreigner with residency can possess and carry firearms. I know one who does carry a gun almost at all times and he is fully licensed to do so. He probably has citizenship now, but he had a gun license long before he got his citizenship, just with his permanent residency.

(I know nothing about other requirements, though)

Alain

I carry my Smith & Wesson 9 mm. model 6904, with me at all times. I have legal residency and a up to date permit with Insurence, The pistol is small enough to carry concealed so no one is aware I have it. About a month ago I was driving home in my Jeepeta and a black Honda Civic with four Dominicans inside tried to force me to pull over, I Ignored them and Incresed my speed, they once again pulled up beside me and ordered me to pull over.
I then reached under my seat, when they saw this action they decided not to hang around any longer and leave Immediately.....
I feel if I had not been armed that my Jeepeta would have become another missing statistic and as for me who knows?

Gringo
 

Mirador

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I then reached under my seat, when they saw this action they decided not to hang around any longer and leave Immediately.....

This situation has happened to me twice already. The second time was recently on my way to Palenque beach and my usual route is taking a left across the cane fields from the main highway going south past Yaguate and up the hill toward the sea. On the deserted stretch that connect with the road paralel to the sea, there was a road block consisting of three people and two motorcycles. I stopped forty yards away, and instead of reaching for my 9 mm hidden in my camera case, I decided to do a more obvious and visible gesture of leaning toward the hand compartment. That did it! they cleared the road for me.
I'm convinced that this works so well, that I'm offering my gun for sale.

Mirador
 

nickkieswetter

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Aug 6, 2003
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A question for fabio or anyone else in the know?

Hi Guys,

As I dont have a permanent residency (Just the temporary version) I am unable to own a firearm legally at this time, however with the last few comments in mind I bought a CO2 powered semi-auto psitol from the gun store in Santiago. It is a Walther CP99 and is (for those who dont know) made by Walther to the exact specifications of the ?real?gun. It looks feels and weighs exactly the same. I was able to purchase this item without a license.

Could anyone advise me as to the legality or indeed the illegality of carrying this item in my car?

Kindest regards

Nick

P.S. If it is legal and anyone else feels it might be a good idea and are in the same situation as me just do a search on the net for ?walther cp99? and have a look!
 

Texasfool

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Nov 9, 2004
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"Toy gun" very bad news

nickkieswetter said:
Hi Guys,

As I dont have a permanent residency (Just the temporary version) I am unable to own a firearm legally at this time, however with the last few comments in mind I bought a CO2 powered semi-auto psitol from the gun store in Santiago. It is a Walther CP99 and is (for those who dont know) made by Walther to the exact specifications of the ?real?gun. It looks feels and weighs exactly the same. I was able to purchase this item without a license.

Could anyone advise me as to the legality or indeed the illegality of carrying this item in my car?

Kindest regards

Nick

P.S. If it is legal and anyone else feels it might be a good idea and are in the same situation as me just do a search on the net for ?walther cp99? and have a look!


About the last thing I would ever do is brandish a "toy gun" in a situation that demands a real firearm.

What a perfect defense for someone to shoot you : "Well, he pointed a "gun" at me"

A "toy gun" is a liability. Year ago when I was a Police Officer, we had a "ride along" program for people who met certain requiremenst and teh individual Officer agreed.

The people I would never take were "security guards, cadets etc; any person in a uniform without a firearm. The same idea as your "toy gun," strictly a liability pretending to be something they/you are not, a person with a weapon willing to use it!!!!!!
 

Mirador

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a can of mace or pepper spray will do the job, and will also work for the stray burglar or other undesirables.

Mirador
 

nickkieswetter

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Aug 6, 2003
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Hi Guys,

Your right ofcourse, I wouldnt think about brandishing it if I thought for a second someone had a gun and was wnating to use it against me, but I was robbed once in this country by two youths with knives and in that situation I am sure it would have been useful. I was commenting that in the situations that the two other posters had it may prove useful as well, moreover as no-one apart from the readers here know that it is a CO2 pistol and people where I live (POP) talk if a few people think its real then I am sure thats a good thing.

To answer the other question I bought it from the gun shop whose name I cant remember in santiago that it situated just off the main highway coming form POP, when you approach the large hotel with the casino infront (name I cnat remember either) take your next right turn immediately after the hotel and the store is about two hundred yards down on your right (might be called vagas?)

Nick

P.S. I can also vouvh that it is great fun for targets in the back yard, rats at close range and stray dogs!!
 

Mirador

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Apr 15, 2004
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DRshooter, I read the link, and it's obvious the pepper spray and tasser didn't work. The guy was high on PCP and who knows what else. Personally, for those situations, I carry an extra clip with 15 rounds of hollow-tip bullets, for my 9mm.

Mirador
 
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