Concealed Carry in Puerto Rico

tlawler

US Veteran
Joined
Dec 16, 2014
Messages
5,140
Reaction score
13,519
Location
S&W Florida
I just found out I’m being sent to PR for a week on business. From looking at the laws, it appears that they will honor my Florida CCW license, but with some restrictions. Has anyone else visited there recently and carried?
 
Register to hide this ad
Amigo, I'm a lawyer (inactive now) and I like visiting Puerto Rico.

Your understanding of the law appears to be WRONG.

I do not want for you to get locked-up. Please do not rely on internet advice for the question of bringing a gun into/carrying in Puerto Rico: I most heartily urge that you get legal advice on the subject from a practicing lawyer in Puerto Rico.
 
Last edited:
Excellent advice from Erich. See attached to get a rough idea, and get legal advice if you are determined to carry a concealed firearm in PR. Hope your Spanish is fluent enough to answer questions down there if you do carry and have to do some explaining to a LEO, particularly outside San Juan. Please note that firearms law in PR change often; the last time was last year (2023). Good luck!
 

Attachments

Last edited:
I was looking at USCCA’s website when I posted, and this is what I was referring to. On first glance, it looks like I’d be covered. I’ve got time to do some research; I just want to be sure before I make a decision.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1929.jpg
    IMG_1929.jpg
    55.3 KB · Views: 76
I’ve spent a good amount of time in PR. Used to be in my Wife’s Sales Territory. The ordinary people there are very nice and friendly, but I would suggest not venturing out after dark. Enjoy your time there!
 
On the assumption that the FOPA applies to Americans flying in and out of PR the way that I read that notice would strongly discourage me from taking a firearm there. PR is an unincorporated US Territory but it is still kinda-sorta a foreign country in many respects. If you're going on business then do your business, play daytime tourist if you must, and stay at your hotel in the evening. YMMV
 
On the assumption that the FOPA applies to Americans flying in and out of PR the way that I read that notice would strongly discourage me from taking a firearm there. PR is an unincorporated US Territory but it is still kinda-sorta a foreign country in many respects. If you're going on business then do your business, play daytime tourist if you must, and stay at your hotel in the evening. YMMV

This. I’ve spent a fair amount of time there for work over the years. MOST people are very friendly and helpful. I felt a good bit safer there than Chicago, New York or Detroit. That said, there are places you do Not want to be, esp. after the sun sets. I never considered taking a weapon down there-asnoted, it’s NOT a state, and certainly NOT a constitutional carry state. If you feel you simply must take something, be sure you KNOW the laws, restrictions, etc.
 
I was looking at USCCA’s website when I posted, and this is what I was referring to. On first glance, it looks like I’d be covered. I’ve got time to do some research; I just want to be sure before I make a decision.

Amigo, look at what that map says: it's for areas where a Puerto Rico license is honored. So, Florida honors it (according to the map) . . . but you're asking the inverse question.
 
Some wise advice posted so far. And from what I've heard, Puerto Rican jails aren't real friendly towards American tourists.:D

MBpvp0h.jpg
 
Good chance there is a US State Department office in PR.
Give them a call.

Yeah, and make sure to keep the number programmed into your phone so if you wind up in the clink, you can call the State Dept. to come get you.
If they decide to give you your phone....
Or maybe jus tell the guy that cuffs you that "the guy" at the State Dept said it was ok"-

Leave the gun home- my guess is that you'll make it back alive. The waters are too murky....
 
Last edited:
I've never been to Mexico, though it's close and easy. I understand that when IN Mexico, the 'mordida'...the bite...can go a long way in certain 'circumstances'. Perhaps there's a cultural similarity with the PR folk? :D
 
If PR is that bad and that crime ridden it seems as though you could get a gat pretty easily upon arrival. Then throw it in the ocean when you leave……… problem solved
 
Thanks for all of the timely replies, guys. Erich, my apologies for screenshotting the wrong map…I was actually looking at the right one previous to that. After further consideration, I concur that it would not be a good idea and I thank you all for coming to a forum consensus for me to base my decision on.
 
I was looking at USCCA’s website when I posted, and this is what I was referring to. On first glance, it looks like I’d be covered. I’ve got time to do some research; I just want to be sure before I make a decision.

On the USCCA map one needs to click on your HOME state to see where it is honored.
 
I'm Latino, and I have been to both Mexico and Puerto Rico. There are god cops and bad cops everywhere, but the customs and the way of life in the two places are very different. Personally, if I was making a trip to Borinquen (PR), I would leave my licensed CCW weapon at home, observe the law and stay out of certain areas, particularly at night.
 
not Puerto Rico, but a Mexican story Re taking guns into the country. i had a very good friend who wanted to go into Mexico to shoot a jaguar, and he tried talking me into going with him. i wasn't interested. he had a nearly new F150 and a nice boat, as well as a Winchester Model 70 [don't remember the caliber]. he drove into Mexico and went into the interior to shoot a jaguar. long story short, he came back into Texas on a train, leaving everything in Mexico, plus a large amount of cash. didn't tell me how much. he was a wealthy Texas wildcatter and he knew better. he lost a drilling rig in Mexico in the early 1900's. he's long gone, but well remembered.

am pleased to see you have decided against taking a firearm into Puerto Rico.
 
Back
Top