Q: When and how do I renew my carry license?

The carry license is valid for **1 to 3 years at the holder's choice** (Art. 72 LAM). Renewal: Q190 per year (1 year = Q190, 2 years = Q380, 3 years = Q570). Requires valid DPI, current criminal and police records, payment receipt. If you renew before expiration, you don't need to repeat the theoretical-practical course. If you let the license expire more than 90 days, you may lose the right to simplified renewal and need to apply for a first license again (with full process). See: [Carry License Renewal](/tramites/digecam-firearm-carry-license-renewal/).

Q: I bought a firearm — what do I do?

1) You can only buy at a DIGECAM-authorized gun shop (with valid Q1,000 dealer license). 2) The gun shop issues a purchase contract with your data + firearm data (make, model, serial, caliber). 3) You take that contract to DIGECAM and register possession (Q60). 4) If you want to carry it, add the firearm to your existing carry license (Q190) or apply for a first license. See: [Firearm Possession Registration](/tramites/digecam-firearm-possession-registration-individual/).

Q: My firearm was stolen or I lost it — what do I do?

URGENT — under LAM Art. 66 you must give notice **as soon as possible** (the law sets no deadline in hours; do it the same day). Mandatory dual reporting: 1) Notify the National Civil Police (PNC) or the Public Ministry, 2) File a copy of the notice with DIGECAM (free). Without these reports, if your firearm appears in a crime scene, the responsibility is yours (presumption of illegal use). After that you can process license replacement (Q190). See: [Stolen Firearm Report](/tramites/digecam-report-stolen-firearm/).

Q: Where is firearm carry PROHIBITED even with valid license?

Under LAM Art. 95 (prohibited locations), even with a valid license you may NOT carry in: schools and universities, bars and nightclubs serving alcohol, banks and other financial institutions, public state buildings, churches and temples, public sporting events, voting centers on election days, hospitals, judicial hearings. Penalty for violation: prison 1-3 years + fine + firearm seizure + license suspension.

Q: I'm Guatemalan living in the USA — I legally bought a firearm there, can I bring it?

YES, but requires prior process. You'll need: 1) Valid DIGECAM Guatemala possession license (not just US license), 2) Individual Firearm Import License (Q10 — file BEFORE shipping the firearm), 3) US documentation (Form 4473, proof of legal purchase), 4) ATF Form 9 (US export permit), 5) Coordination with SAT customs broker in Guatemala. PROHIBITED firearms even with license: automatics, caliber >.50, suppressors, magazines >30 rounds. Full guide: [Individual Import License](/tramites/digecam-firearm-ammunition-import-license-individual/).

Question 1

What is DIGECAM and what does it do?

Accepted Answer

DIGECAM (Dirección General de Control de Armas y Municiones) is the directorate of the Ministry of National Defense (MINDEF) that regulates everything related to firearms and ammunition in Guatemala under Decree 15-2009 (Firearms and Ammunition Law — LAM). It processes possession and carry licenses, registers firearms, authorizes gun shops and dealers, imports, and maintains the SIDIGECAM system. Portal: digecam.mil.gt. Email: correodigecam@digecam.mil.gt. Address: 12 Avenida 31-09 Zona 5, Guatemala City.

Question 2

What's the difference between possession (tenencia) and carry (portación)?

Accepted Answer

**Tenencia (possession)** = the right to keep a firearm at your home, office or authorized location. Does NOT permit carrying it on the street. Each firearm registered with DIGECAM (Q60). **Portación (carry)** = personal license that permits carrying the firearm on the street, in the car, etc. It's individual and tied to the person, NOT the firearm. The carry license covers up to 3 firearms registered to your name. Cost: the DIGECAM **evaluation** is Q400 and the **license** is Q190 per year; the initial cost is ~Q590 (Q400 evaluation + Q190 first year). Validity is **1 to 3 years** at the holder's choice (Art. 72, Decreto 15-2009). Carry requires psychological evaluation + theoretical-practical course at DIGECAM-approved provider.

Question 3

What are the requirements for a first carry license?

Accepted Answer

Under LAM Art. 41-50: be at least 25 years old (or 21 if military/police/private security agent), valid DPI, current criminal and police records (<6 months), pass psychological aptitude exam with DIGECAM-approved psychologist, pass theoretical-practical course (~16 hours, at DIGECAM-approved gun shop or academy), pay Q400. Time: 30-60 days from start. Full guide: [First Carry License](/tramites/digecam-first-firearm-carry-license/).

Question 4

When and how do I renew my carry license?

Accepted Answer

The carry license is valid for **1 to 3 years at the holder's choice** (Art. 72 LAM). Renewal: Q190 per year (1 year = Q190, 2 years = Q380, 3 years = Q570). Requires valid DPI, current criminal and police records, payment receipt. If you renew before expiration, you don't need to repeat the theoretical-practical course. If you let the license expire more than 90 days, you may lose the right to simplified renewal and need to apply for a first license again (with full process). See: [Carry License Renewal](/tramites/digecam-firearm-carry-license-renewal/).

Question 5

I bought a firearm — what do I do?

Accepted Answer

1) You can only buy at a DIGECAM-authorized gun shop (with valid Q1,000 dealer license). 2) The gun shop issues a purchase contract with your data + firearm data (make, model, serial, caliber). 3) You take that contract to DIGECAM and register possession (Q60). 4) If you want to carry it, add the firearm to your existing carry license (Q190) or apply for a first license. See: [Firearm Possession Registration](/tramites/digecam-firearm-possession-registration-individual/).

Question 6

My firearm was stolen or I lost it — what do I do?

Accepted Answer

URGENT — under LAM Art. 66 you must give notice **as soon as possible** (the law sets no deadline in hours; do it the same day). Mandatory dual reporting: 1) Notify the National Civil Police (PNC) or the Public Ministry, 2) File a copy of the notice with DIGECAM (free). Without these reports, if your firearm appears in a crime scene, the responsibility is yours (presumption of illegal use). After that you can process license replacement (Q190). See: [Stolen Firearm Report](/tramites/digecam-report-stolen-firearm/).

Question 7

Where is firearm carry PROHIBITED even with valid license?

Accepted Answer

Under LAM Art. 95 (prohibited locations), even with a valid license you may NOT carry in: schools and universities, bars and nightclubs serving alcohol, banks and other financial institutions, public state buildings, churches and temples, public sporting events, voting centers on election days, hospitals, judicial hearings. Penalty for violation: prison 1-3 years + fine + firearm seizure + license suspension.

Question 8

I'm Guatemalan living in the USA — I legally bought a firearm there, can I bring it?

Accepted Answer

YES, but requires prior process. You'll need: 1) Valid DIGECAM Guatemala possession license (not just US license), 2) Individual Firearm Import License (Q10 — file BEFORE shipping the firearm), 3) US documentation (Form 4473, proof of legal purchase), 4) ATF Form 9 (US export permit), 5) Coordination with SAT customs broker in Guatemala. PROHIBITED firearms even with license: automatics, caliber >.50, suppressors, magazines >30 rounds. Full guide: [Individual Import License](/tramites/digecam-firearm-ammunition-import-license-individual/).

Portal	Purpose
digecam.mil.gt	Institutional site — about us, legal framework, organization
Trámites Catalog	Complete list of trámites with detailed requirements
Online Services	Trámites available 100% online
Schedule Appointment	Appointment system for in-person trámites
Trámite Costs	Official current rates per trámite
Legal Framework	Decree 15-2009 LAM + Regulation + circulars
Business Access	System for gun shops and authorized businesses
Business Directory	List of authorized gun shops and businesses
Workshops / Gunsmiths	Authorized repair workshops
E.S.P. Private Security	System for Private Security Companies
Circulars	Official communications
Holder Responsibility	Official legal responsibility guide

Trámite	Cost	Time
First Carry License	Q400	30-60 days
Carry License Renewal	Q190/year	15-30 days (valid 1-3 years)
Firearm Possession Registration	Q60	5-15 days
Add/Remove Firearm from License	Q190	5-15 days
Replace Carry License	Q190	15-30 days
Stolen/Lost Firearm Report	Free	Immediate (mandatory in 24h)
Individual Import License	Q10	15-30 days

Article	Topic
Art. 23-28	Firearm possession
Art. 41-50, 72	Carry license (requirements; validity of 1 to 3 years at the holder’s choice, Art. 72; renewal)
Art. 50-58	Firearm and ammunition import
Art. 65	Mandatory secure storage (safe recommended)
Art. 66	Duty to notify the PNC or MP and file a copy with DIGECAM on theft/loss (no deadline in hours)
Art. 79-90	Dealer companies (gun shops)
Art. 95	Prohibited carry locations (schools, bars, banks, public state buildings, churches, public sporting events, voting centers)
Art. 80	Carry under alcohol/drug influence prohibited
Art. 116	Army-exclusive firearms (PROHIBITED for civilians): automatics, caliber >.50, suppressors
Art. 122	Penalties for unlicensed carry (prison 4-6 years + seizure)
Art. 124	Penalties for clandestine modification (prison 5-8 years)
Art. 125	Penalties for unlicensed dealing (prison 6-10 years + closure)

Have ready	Why
Valid DPI (not expired)	Primary identification
Criminal Record (<6 months)	OJ-CAPE, free (Q0) since 2026 (Ley de Gratuidad)
Police Record (<6 months)	PNC-Mingob, free (Q0) since 2026 (Ley de Gratuidad)
DIGECAM payment receipt	Authorized bank
Psychological certificate (first license)	Only DIGECAM-approved psychologists
Theoretical-practical course certificate (first license)	DIGECAM-approved gun shop or academy
For possession: purchase contract	Issued by authorized gun shop
For import: foreign pro-forma invoice	Make, model, serial, caliber of firearm

Permitted (with license)	Prohibited (Army-exclusive, LAM Art. 116)
Semi-automatic pistols up to 9mm caliber	Automatic firearms (M16, AK-47, etc.)
Revolvers up to .357 Magnum caliber	Caliber greater than .50
Shotguns 12, 16, 20 gauge (semi-automatic or pump)	Suppressors and silencers
Sporting rifles up to .308 caliber (.30-06 with special permit)	Magazines with capacity >30 rounds
Flintlock, front-loader firearms (sporting / collector)	Grenades, grenade launchers, rockets
Compressed air firearms	Heavy military-use weapons

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Step	Detail
1. Before shipping	Process Individual DIGECAM Import License (Q10)
2. US documentation	ATF Form 4473 (purchase), ATF Form 9 (US export permit)
3. GT documentation	Valid DIGECAM possession license (not just US)
4. SAT Customs	Coordinate with customs broker — pay 12% IVA + ISR per declaration
5. Arrival GT	Register firearm at DIGECAM (Q60) — receive Possession Card
6. To carry	Add firearm to existing carry license or apply for first (Q190 / Q400)

Violation	Sanction
Carry without license	Prison 4-6 years + seizure (LAM Art. 122)
Possession without registration	Prison 2-4 years + seizure (Art. 122)
Carry in prohibited location (Art. 95)	Prison 1-3 years + fine Q5K-25K + license suspension
Failure to report theft in 24h	Fine Q500-2,000 + presumption of illegal use
Clandestine firearm modification	Prison 5-8 years (Art. 124)
Dealing without DIGECAM license	Prison 6-10 years + closure + seizure (Art. 125)
Import without license	Prison 4-8 years + seizure
Import of prohibited firearm	Prison 8-12 years + seizure
False theft report (fraud)	Prison 1-3 years (Penal Code Art. 264 + falsehood)

Channel	Detail
Email	correodigecam@digecam.mil.gt
Address	12 Avenida 31-09 Zona 5, Guatemala City
Website	digecam.mil.gt
Complete legal framework	digecam.mil.gt/marco-legal
Online appointments	digecam.mil.gt/citas