How strict are gun laws in Puerto Rico?
Permissive
Handguns are licensed as of right, and personal protection is an accepted reason on its own.
Puerto Rico is one of 26 countries classified “Permissive” for civilian gun ownership — 13% of the 202 with data. (Also searched as firearm laws.)
Source
- Last checked
- 17 September 2026
- How it was classified
- Read directly from the source’s own table, without interpretation.
Nearby countries
- United States Virgin Islands
- Licensed / moderate Handguns are obtainable for farming or sport, but self-defense alone is not sufficient for a license.
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Restrictive Handguns are licensed only at the authorities' discretion, or only to club members or existing owners.
- Dominican Republic
- Licensed / moderate Handguns can be licensed for sport, hunting or collecting, but personal protection alone is not a sufficient reason.
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Restrictive Handguns are licensed only at the authorities' discretion, or only to club members or existing owners.
- Dominica
- Restrictive Handguns are licensed only at the authorities' discretion, or only to club members or existing owners.
- Haiti
- Restrictive Handguns are licensed only at the authorities' discretion, or only to club members or existing owners.
Other laws in Puerto Rico
Every law in Puerto Rico → · 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.