Airgun law · World

Are Airguns Legal in Guatemala?

Yes, with conditions.

Generally legal, but with real rules to follow — usually age verification, and in some places a low-power threshold.

Tier 3 — Moderate

Threshold-based licensing — permit-free band for low-power, licence required above.

The picture at a glance

Each measure below scores how restrictive Guatemala is on that part of owning or transferring an airgun, from permissive (green) to firearm-level (red).

ClassificationUnclear

Age rule18+

PossessionVariable

Transfer / saleVariable

TransportVariable

AuthorityNational statute

Before you buy or sell

Compressed-gas weapons are expressly recognized in the arms law.
Visitor import is the risk point.
No clean energy/caliber carveout surfaced.

The rules in detail

Classification

Unclear

Decree No. 15-2009, Ley de Armas y Municiones, expressly recognizes compressed-gas weapons and divides them into air and other-gas weapons. The law is firearms-centered but air/compressed-gas weapons are inside the arms taxonomy.

Age rule

18+

18+ practical minimum for ordinary adult possession; confirm any sport-club or import-specific age treatment before publication.

Possession

Variable

Air/compressed-gas weapons are identified in the weapons law but the quick pass did not surface a clean licence path or joule threshold. Treat as regulated, but not necessarily treated identically to firearms.

Transfer / sale

Variable

Commercial sale/import/export of weapons is regulated under the firearms-and-munitions framework. Treat private transfer of airguns as locally regulated unless a DIGECAM/local authority confirms otherwise.

Transport

Variable

Transport unloaded, cased, and with proof of lawful ownership/purchase. Do not public-carry or display airguns.

Authority

National statute

National law administered through the firearms control authority / Ministry of Interior framework.

Hunting with an airgun

Unresolved / verify locally.

Deer

Unresolved / not addressed

—

Turkey

Unresolved / not addressed

—

Small game

Unresolved / not addressed

—

Predators

Unresolved / not addressed

—

Other big game

Unresolved / not addressed

—

Import & travel

Energy threshold

No joule threshold found.

Caliber rule

No specific airgun caliber rule found in the quick pass.

Travel note

Do not rely on the relative commonness of air pistols or pellet rifles as proof of import legality.

Local & import notes

Visitor procedure

Do not bring an airgun into Guatemala without written customs/DIGECAM guidance. The law regulates import and storage of weapons and recognizes compressed-gas weapons, so tourist import should be pre-cleared.

This is a plain-language summary compiled from primary statutes and official guidance, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary, so verify the current rules with the relevant authority before buying, selling, or hunting.