Over 243,000 firearms registered to civilians in the Dominican Republic

Washington, DC.- The Minister of the Interior and Police, Faride Raful, announced that 243,785 firearms are currently registered to civilians in the Dominican Republic, marking an increase from 230,000 in 2020. While not a drastic rise, Raful emphasized the need to enhance the weapons registration system and implement stricter controls. Investments in technological infrastructure are being made to improve the process and bolster national security.

As part of a regional effort to combat arms trafficking, the Dominican Republic joined security ministers from seven Central American countries in signing the Roadmap to Prevent Illicit Trafficking and Proliferation of Weapons, Ammunition, and Explosives. This initiative aims to curb organized crime and reduce violence in a region where 80% of homicides in 2022 involved firearms. The agreement focuses on strengthening regulations, controlling the weapons life cycle, improving investigations, and promoting violence prevention programs.

Each participating country will implement a National Action Plan with support from international organizations like the OAS, UNLIREC, and SICA. The initiative includes the adoption of tracking technologies, enhanced information sharing, and community-based violence prevention programs. The agreement was formalized at the OAS headquarters with representatives from the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Belize, Costa Rica, and El Salvador.