At the end of 2025, the Dominican Republic had a record of 245,396 legal weapons in the hands of civilians, equivalent to two weapons per 100 thousand inhabitantstaking as reference the 2022 National Population and Housing Census, which showed a population of 10.7 million people.
According to data from Ministry of the Interior and Policethe figure represents 2,006 additional weapons compared to 2024, when 243,390 were registered, equivalent to an annual growth of 0.82%. In 2023, registration was 240,549 arms.
The pistol, with 150,170 units, is the most common type of weapon among the population licensed to carry it. They are followed by the shotgun, with 70,481; the revolver, with 23,364; the rifle, with 1,354; the rifle, with 17; and the machine gun, with 10 units.
People over 60 years old, the group that uses it the most
In the classification by age, adults aged 60 years or older concentrate the largest number of legally accredited carriers, with 110,501; followed by the 50 to 59 year old group, with 68,169. The under 30 years old They represent the minority, with 995 registered carriers.
Likewise, during the past year, the Interior and Police managed 45,656 renewals of licenses for civilians and 75 for companies. In addition, they were issued 140 new licenses to civilians and 949 to companies. In terms of transfers, 4,260 were authorized.
Regarding marketing, Interior and Police granted 52 gun shop licenses: 25 for the arms sales19 for importthree for repair shops and five for shooting ranges.
Confiscation and voluntary surrender
In 2025, 4,017 were seized armsof which 3,945 were destroyed for violation of the Law 631-16on the Control and Regulation of ArmsAmmunition and Related Materials. In addition, they confiscated 25,955 ammunitionwhile 61 arms They were given voluntarily.
Along with other services, the issue and renewal of licenses for carrying and possession of arms fire generated income to the State for more than RD$472 million, according to records of the Ministry of the Interior and Police.
For him 2026the regulatory body plans to regularize some 42,000 arms and launch two voluntary delivery campaigns.
Applicants to legally carry a firearm in the Dominican Republic must comply with the requirements established in article 13 of Law 631-16, on the Control and Regulation of Weapons.
Among the requirements are: certificate of no criminal record; physical and mental fitness examinations, including psychological, anti-doping and alcohol tests; certification of suitability for handling weapons issued by an authorized shooting range; documents proving the legal purchase of the weapon; and the payment of the corresponding taxes.
In the case of companies, they must be duly incorporated and guarantee that partners and employees are free of criminal records. Specialized entities—such as ranges, clubs, weapons workshops or factories, and ammunition reloading centers—must comply with regulatory technical specifications. Employees authorized to carry weapons are required to submit annual anti-doping and alcohol tests and comply with the requirements of natural persons, among other legal provisions.
