Security ministry staff gets new tool for tracking those with weapons permits
of the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Costa Rican law officials have a $50,000 new system to keep track of those who have valid permits to buy or carry a gun.
The system comes from the Organization of American States and is similar to a driver’s license process in which unique documents in plastic are created.
The system is now in the hands of the Ministerio de Gobernación PolicÃa y Seguridad Pública, which issues the permits. In addition to purchase and carry permits, the equipment will keep track of weapons and their serial numbers.
In the past, this work was done by hand with paper documents. Now carry permits will contain a photograph of the individual with the permit, fingerprints and a signature. Fernando Berrocal, the security minister, said the new system will be more secure.
More Costa Ricans each day apply for permits to buy or carry firearms due to what they believe is the deteriorated security in the country.
The system unveiled Friday is the first in Latin America, and there are plans to link systems installed elsewhere in the future with this one. Patricio Zuquilanda represented the hemispheric organization at a ceremony Friday.
What the new permits will look like.
A.M. Costa Rica photos by José Pablo RamÃrez Vindas
Fernado Berrocal looks over the new system
Officials said that since January and through August, police have confiscated 1,209 weapons carried illegally, mostly by criminals. Fuerza Pública officers confiscate on the average about six weapons a day.