Perhaps a quick step by step with buying a new weapon. Thanks.
The process hasn't changed much over the years, but the attitude inside the Ministerio certainly has.
Process for purchasing a new firearm:
1) Go the armeria of your choice and buy what you want.
2a) Have the armeria walk you through all the paperwork, medical, psych and firearm proficiency tests (prob. for a fee)
2b) Do everything above yourself.
3) Pay taxes and fees at BanReserva
4) Turn all the paperwork, receipts, photos in at the Ministerio
5) Pray while you wait
This is not my first license but it has been the most challenging. I'd swear, "they" really don't want gringos to have guns. Every time the minster changes or there is an election lots of employees get shuffled. If an application manages to get some momentum and is working its way through the process at a snails pace, a change of staff, a significant holiday such as Christmas or an election brings everything to a halt. It may take awhile for inertia to be overcome again.
I live too far from SD to physically demonstrate that my will to pursue the process far outstrips their ability to thwart me, but they can and often do make you work for every small incremental victory. If you are able, you should stand in front of them every two or three months and demand to know what's been done, what's left to be done and to let them know you'll be back in the near future to see what progress has been made. This is where the often heard, "waiting for the interpol check" excuse comes in to play. I haven't heard of a foreigner starting and finishing the licensing process in much less than a year in quite awhile.
If you are persistent, more than patient and apply just enough external pressure, you'll get your license, eventually.