Uruguay firearm and ammunition regulation

In late September 2026, the Uruguayan Ministry of the Interior proposed a decree to President Yamandú Orsi to tighten controls on civilian firearms and ammunition. The proposal sought to limit the number of handguns and pistols, prohibit the use of 3D-printed weapons, and introduce purchase limits for ammunition to address a 6% increase in homicides.

By late October, the Executive Branch signed the regulatory decree into law. The implemented measures include a traceability system for imported ammunition and mandatory marking for police ammunition to prevent diversion to organized crime. While the overall limit of eight firearms per person remains, the decree specifies a maximum of four short firearms, including no more than two pistols.

Interior Minister Carlos Negro stated the rules are part of the National Public Security Plan and were developed through dialogue with firearm owners' associations. The decree also increases criminal penalties for arms trafficking, the illegal alteration of serial numbers, and the conversion of semi-automatic weapons into automatic ones.