damn,
now my longer post to answer the Q's been gone, darn 'puter.
here i try again.
due to your mentioning of airport and customs in prior posts,
i assume you may be trying to import a firearm with the help of the general,
such would be since summer 2006 completely illegal.
we have since then a stop of imports of any firearms,
the mainreason why the available used ones cost here several times more than the same brand/model in the US brand new would cost.
right Beeza,
a 9mm in top condition for 2KUS$ is a great deal.
an other point which makes me a bit 'suspicious' is them mentioning of renewing inhouse without money asked.
a renewal is not big deal, costs much less than 200US$ per year for both permits, the possession permit and the carry around permit.
both need to be carried around with the gun.
renewals can be very easy and completely hassle free done at any office of Banco de Reservas, present everywhere on the island. the new permit cards get delivered right to the same office where the renewal taxes been paid, usually within less than 15 days after the tax been paid.
the 2 permits for a private person look like this:
for private persons there will not be a 2nd carry permit issued for a 2nd firearm, it is limited to permit to carry around only 1 specific firearm for private persons.
a gun permit, for posession or to carry the gun, can not be issued to foreigners without a PERMANENT renewed residency, that is the first basic requisit to apply for a gun permit.
only exceptions are temporarily in the country working foreign police or armed forces members, there are also exceptions in some cases of diplomatic corps members, but not for private persons.
the official permit allows to carry any gun, is not restricted to a specific gun.
the official permit gets renewed every 2 years, but i also saw different variations on this, so in case of the official permit i don't know what is usual, and what is why excepted, maybe it depends who and under which circumstances a official license is issued to a 'non FFAA Member'. to obtain the official permit a training seminar has to be done to apply for a official permit.
hope that asks the Q's,
anything left, just ask
Mike