Official DIGECAM procedure: the access portal for authorized companies is at digecam.mil.gt/acceso-empresas. To start a new dealer license file, contact the General Directorate of Arms and Ammunition Control at its central headquarters (Avenida La Reforma 1-45, zone 10, Guatemala City) or via the portal at digecam.mil.gt/web/tramites.php.

Quick checklist before starting:

  • Mercantile company registered with valid trade patent
  • Active NIT and SAT tax compliance certificate
  • Physical premises identified with municipal land-use approval
  • Certified safe and security system installed
  • Criminal and police records of all partners and legal representative
  • Theft insurance policy quote

TL;DR: The DIGECAM firearm and ammunition dealer license is the mandatory permit to legally operate a gun shop in Guatemala. It is granted only to legal entities (not individuals), costs Q1,000 in stamp duty but requires a total investment of Q300,000+ in infrastructure, insurance and initial inventory. The procedure takes 45-90 business days, includes a physical inspection of the premises and approval by the Inter-Institutional Arms Commission. Each subsequent sale is registered in SIDIGECAM in real time under penalty of business closure.

What is the Firearm and Ammunition Dealer License?

It is the official authorization issued by the General Directorate of Arms and Ammunition Control (DIGECAM) of the Ministry of National Defense to a mercantile company so it can legally operate as an armory, firearms commercial house, or wholesale ammunition distributor in Guatemala.

This license is regulated by Decree 15-2009 (Firearms and Ammunition Law - LAM), articles 79 through 90, and Government Agreement 85-2011 (Regulations). Without this license, selling, brokering or storing firearms and ammunition for commercial purposes is a criminal offense in Guatemala (LAM Art. 125: 6 to 10 years imprisonment).

The license differentiates three commercial modalities:

  • Sale of firearms and ammunition (this license): retail sale to end consumers holding valid carry licenses.
  • Commercial import: separate additional license to bring firearms/ammunition from abroad for resale.
  • Repair (gunsmith): separate license for shops that maintain, repair or modify firearms.

A full-service armory typically needs two or three combined DIGECAM licenses (dealer + import + often repair) to operate the complete business model.

Requirements for the dealer license

DIGECAM evaluates three blocks: the legal entity holding the license, the partners and legal representative, and the physical infrastructure of the premises.

  • Mercantile company registered with the Mercantile Registry (S.A., S. de R.L., E.I.R.L. or other figure), with constitutive deed duly registered.
  • Valid trade patent issued by the Mercantile Registry.
  • Business patent if applicable to the activity.
  • Active NIT with SAT, no omissions or pending balances.
  • SAT tax compliance certificate (constancia de cumplimiento tributario).
  • Corporate purpose (objeto social) that explicitly includes the sale of firearms and ammunition (review the deed; if missing, expand it before starting the procedure).
  • IGSS employer registration if there are employees.
  • Valid DPI of all shareholders and the legal representative.
  • Criminal record in force (handled via MINGOB Criminal Records).
  • Police record in force (see MINGOB Police Records).
  • No-record certificate from the Civil Registry of Persons (Tribunals).
  • For the legal representative: notarial appointment certificate registered in the Mercantile Registry.
  • Notarial sworn declaration in which the legal representative assumes responsibility for compliance with the LAM and SIDIGECAM registration.

Regarding the physical infrastructure of the premises

DIGECAM conducts an in-person inspection. The premises must comply with:

  • Certified safe (RC II rating or higher per banking security standard) anchored to floor/wall, capacity sufficient for the entire inventory, and access restricted to authorized personnel.
  • 24/7 monitored alarm system connected to a private security company authorized by the General Directorate of Private Security Services (DIGESSP).
  • CCTV system with full coverage of display, storage, and cashier areas, with minimum 30-day recording.
  • Reinforced display cases of tempered glass or polycarbonate (firearms cannot be within direct reach of customers).
  • Separate restricted area for ammunition storage (away from heat sources, with ventilation).
  • Mandatory signage per DIGECAM regulation.
  • Compatible land-use approved by the Municipality (armories cannot be located near schools, hospitals, or churches within an established radius).
  • Voluntary firefighters’ permit (ammunition combustible-load).

Regarding initial inventory and insurance

  • Initial inventory list planned for acquisition, with makes, models, calibers and estimated quantities.
  • Letters from suppliers (authorized importers) the dealer plans to operate with.
  • Theft insurance policy for the inventory, in force, with an authorized insurance company.
  • Quote or proof of civil liability insurance.

Step-by-step to obtain the license

  1. Constitute or adapt the mercantile company. If the company does not yet exist, register it first with the Mercantile Registry (see Guatemala Business Registration). Make sure the corporate purpose includes the sale of firearms and ammunition; if not, expand it notarially before starting.

  2. Obtain NIT and patents. Register with SAT to obtain NIT, trade patent and business patent. Process the SAT tax compliance certificate.

  3. Condition the physical premises. Install certified safe, 24/7 alarm system, CCTV, reinforced display cases, ammunition area, and obtain land-use and firefighters’ permits. This is the largest investment of the project.

  4. Gather personal documents. Collect DPIs, criminal and police records, and sworn declarations of partners and legal representative. Maximum validity 6 months at the moment of submission.

  5. Contract insurance. Issue theft insurance for the inventory and, optionally but recommended, civil liability insurance.

  6. Prepare physical and digital file. Foliate it according to the order indicated by DIGECAM. Include supplier letters and initial inventory list.

  7. Submit application at DIGECAM. File the dossier at the central headquarters (Avenida La Reforma 1-45, zone 10) or via the company portal. Pay the Q1,000 stamp duty when starting.

  8. Physical inspection of the premises. DIGECAM technicians visit the facilities. If observations arise, a deadline is granted to remedy (10 to 30 days). A second inspection confirms compliance.

  9. Inter-Institutional Arms Commission (CIA) resolution. The CIA (composed of MINDEF, MINGOB, Public Ministry and others) reviews the complete file and issues a resolution. If favorable, DIGECAM extends the license valid for two (2) years, renewable.

Cost and timeline

ItemApproximate cost
DIGECAM license stamp dutyQ1,000
Professional fees (manager + lawyer)Q15,000 - Q40,000
Certified safe (RC II or higher)Q35,000 - Q120,000
Alarm system + monitoring (installation)Q15,000 - Q40,000
CCTV (8-16 cameras + recorder)Q12,000 - Q35,000
Reinforced display cases + premises conditioningQ40,000 - Q150,000
Theft insurance (annual)Q8,000 - Q25,000
Civil liability insurance (annual)Q3,000 - Q12,000
Initial authorized inventory (variable)Q150,000 - Q500,000+
Firefighters’ permit + land use + ancillary proceduresQ3,000 - Q8,000

Total estimated time: 45 to 90 business days from the moment the file is complete. If the inspection finds deficiencies or the CIA requests amplifications, it can extend to 120-180 days.

License validity: 2 years. Renewal must be initiated at least 60 days before expiration.

Common errors that delay the license

Corporate purpose does not include sale of firearms

The constitutive deed must explicitly mention the sale of firearms and ammunition. Many companies constituted for “general commerce” receive observations from the CIA and must expand the corporate purpose via notarial deed and mercantile registration, adding 15-30 additional days.

Safe not certified or improperly anchored

DIGECAM does not accept residential or office safes. The standard requires bank certification (RC II or higher), capacity for the complete inventory, and floor or wall anchoring. Buying an inadequate safe means replacing it and delaying the inspection 30-60 days.

Premises in zone prohibited by land-use

The municipality does not authorize armories near schools, hospitals, churches or sites of mass attendance. Verify land-use BEFORE signing the rental contract. Changing premises mid-procedure restarts the infrastructure process.

Expired background checks

Criminal and police records lose validity after 6 months. If the procedure is delayed and records expire before the CIA resolution, they must be renewed and resubmitted.

Partners with criminal records

Any partner with criminal records for crimes against life, patrimony, drug-trafficking, or illicit-association offenses constitutes automatic grounds for denial. Before starting, verify records of ALL partners. An alternative is to restructure the shareholding composition.

Inventory without authorized supplier

You can only purchase initial inventory from importers with valid DIGECAM commercial import licenses. Trying to import directly without the additional commercial import license is grounds for observation.

Once the license is issued, the armory assumes permanent obligations under the LAM and regulations:

Registration of each sale in SIDIGECAM

Every transaction must be registered in the DIGECAM System (SIDIGECAM) in real time at the moment of firearm delivery. The registration includes:

  • Complete buyer data: name, DPI, address, phone, photograph taken on premises, fingerprint.
  • Number and validity of the buyer’s carry license (if the license is expired or suspended, the sale is automatically rejected).
  • Complete firearm data: make, model, caliber, serial number, country of origin, type (rifle, shotgun, pistol, revolver).
  • Ammunition data (if applicable): caliber, brand, quantity, lot.
  • SAT invoice number and payment method.
  • Date and time of delivery.

Monthly report to DIGECAM

Within the first 5 business days of each month, the armory submits to DIGECAM:

  • Consolidated sales report from the previous month.
  • Inventory balance at month close.
  • Report of returned, damaged or destroyed firearms.

Mandatory verifications before each sale

  • Validate that the buyer’s carry license is valid and not suspended.
  • Validate the buyer is not on prohibition lists (judicial order, DIGECAM restriction).
  • For ammunition sales: validate caliber matches the buyer’s registered firearm.
  • Sales limits: ammunition is subject to monthly per-person limits by caliber.

Unannounced DIGECAM inspections

DIGECAM may inspect the premises at any time without prior notice. The armory must allow access, show inventory, books, and SIDIGECAM records. Refusing or hindering the inspection is grounds for immediate suspension.

Permitted firearms catalog

The armory may only sell firearms within the catalog permitted by the LAM:

  • Permitted for civilian use: sporting rifles, shotguns gauge 12 and smaller, pistols and revolvers in permitted calibers (including 9mm, .38, .40, .45, etc. within regulatory limits).
  • PROHIBITED: military weapons, full-auto, calibers larger than .50, grenade launchers, suppressors, firearms with altered or missing serial numbers, military explosive, incendiary, armor-piercing or expanding ammunition.

Penalties for non-compliance

InfractionLegal sanction
Operating dealer activity without DIGECAM license (LAM Art. 125)6 to 10 years imprisonment + fine + definitive closure of establishment + inventory seizure
Selling to buyer without valid carry licenseLicense suspension + fine Q10,000-Q100,000; second occurrence: definitive cancellation
Failing to register sale in SIDIGECAMFine Q5,000 to Q50,000 + temporary license suspension (15-90 days)
Selling firearms/ammunition from prohibited catalog8 to 12 years imprisonment (LAM Art. 116) + closure + definitive cancellation
Failing to file monthly report to DIGECAMFine Q3,000 - Q15,000 per month of omission
Refusing DIGECAM inspectionImmediate license suspension until resolved
Premises without certified safe or inactive security systemsSuspension until remedied + fine
Falsehood in buyer data within SIDIGECAMLicense cancellation + criminal complaint for falsehood

Criminal liability rests with the legal representative and, depending on the case, with partners or employees directly involved. The company loses the license in addition to closure.