How strict are gun laws in El Salvador?
Permissive
Civilians can own firearms with shall-issue licensing for hunting and sport shooting.
El Salvador is one of 5 countries classified “Permissive” for civilian gun ownership — 4% of the 113 with data. (Also searched as firearm laws.)
Source
- Last checked
- 7 July 2026
- How it was classified
- Classified by a language model from the source text, then checked against hand-verified reference countries.
Nearby countries
- Belize
- Licensed / moderate Firearms ownership requires permit with some restrictions and may be issued.
- Nicaragua
- Highly restrictive / banned Civilian gun ownership is largely banned with strict licensing requirements.
- Costa Rica
- Licensed / moderate Gun ownership allowed for sport shooting, collection, and hunting with licensing required.
- Panama
- Permissive Cannabis is legal for personal use with a permit.
- Cuba
- Restrictive Firearms ownership is restricted, mainly for hunting and sport shooting under license.
- Bahamas
- Licensed / moderate Firearms ownership requires license or permit with some restrictions.
Other laws in El Salvador
- Death Penalty
- Abolished for ordinary crimes
- Military Conscription
- No conscription
Every law in El Salvador → · How strict are gun laws around the world? →
A visual reference compiled from Wikipedia’s law-by-country articles, not legal advice. Laws change and summaries simplify — check a primary source before relying on anything here.