Here they know exactly who has what firearms and where they are. Well, sort of. It is estimated that 3 out of 4 firearms (and their owners) are unregistered. The prices and hassles for legal ownership serve to encourage an active black market.
Quoting Webbj0219:
"... you gotta do all that to carry a firearm in chicago? You dont have to jump through that many hoops to become a US citizen. Thats ridiculous."
Here to own OR carry:
1. Theoretical and practical exams, both conducted by police, about $60 and a half-day
2. Armas y Explosivos ("AyE") form application with full personal information
3. Psychological exam, between $50 and $100 and two hours
4. OIJ (Costa Rica´s FBI) record check, no charge at present
4a. (if a foreign resident like me) US criminal record check, notarized through state dept and Costa Rican consulate in US to assure veracity, about $120 and five weeks
5. Sworn statement of need, a $50 attorney fee
5a. (if a foreign resident like me) Sworn statement declaring no criminal record or warrants in any country of residence for prior 10 years, another $50 attorney fee
6. Fingerprinting at the only Armas y Explosivos office in the country, allow the time for travel to/from and at least three hours for waiting in line (line begins forming at 3:30 am for 8:30 opening time)
7. Official document stamps from government and legal offices, not expensive or hard to get at present
8. Copies of all documents, some certified
9. Select and pay (from 1.5x to 2x US price) for your weapon of choice through a certified dealership. You will find a very limited selection.
Then:
Allow from one to two weeks for an officer from AyE to visit your certified dealer and pre-inspect your collection of documents, verify the firearm was legally imported, and issue a case number. Another "estimated four weeks" is then required for your case to be reviewed and, hopefully, approved by AyE. The estimate is a bit optimistic - I have been waiting six weeks since case number received and have another to go. Two people I know who have done an individual transaction (not through a dealer) have been waiting over four months now.
Penalty for
possession of unregistered weapon (in your house, e.g): 3 months - 1 year prison
carrying your registered weapon with no permit: 3 months - 1 year prison
carrying your registered weapon with your permit expired: 3 months community service
carrying a legally registered weapon not matching that specified on your valid permit: 3 months community service
carrying an unregistered weapon and without permit: 1-3 years prison
Any of the above offenses (and many more besides) will cancel your ability to ever obtain a CCW, and may cancel your ability to legally own any firearm. Ownership is a privilege here, not a right.
