Weapons — Guatemala
What travelers need to know about weapons in Guatemala. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
Weapons in Guatemala: allowed only under specific conditions.
A visitor cannot simply carry a firearm in Guatemala. Under the Ley de Armas y Municiones (Decreto 15-2009) you must get the licence first - "deben obtener previamente la licencia de portacion" (art. 72) - and art. 70 limits carrying to Guatemalan citizens and to "extranjeros con residencia temporal o permanente legalmente autorizada", with DIGECAM authorisation. A non-resident foreigner bringing a firearm in temporarily applies through a Guatemalan consulate, and DIGECAM may grant a special temporary carry or transit licence (art. 36). Weapons of war and those reserved to the Guatemalan Army, and weapons classified as automatic, are barred to private persons (arts. 5 and 10). Holding a firearm at home is governed separately (art. 62) and must be registered (art. 63).
§ Congreso de la Republica de Guatemala - Decreto 15-2009, Ley de Armas y Municiones, arts. 5, 10, 36, 62, 63, 70, 72 (Diario de Centro America text, 8 pages, arts. 1-92; the penal articles are not in that published extract)Verified Oct 8, 2026