While President Oscar Arias has launched an international campaign to curtail the sale of firearms, he's also waging the battle against firearms on the home front.

Two days after returning from the Summit of the Americas – during which he used his floor time to speak against gun trafficking – his administration announced the progress of a bill that would amend the current Arms and Explosives Law.

The bill, which is currently before legislators, would prohibit the manufacture of weapons within Costa Rica, establish a limit on the number of firearms someone can have and adopt measures to avoid the possession of weapons by minors.

But the draft law goes further than that.

It would introduce clearer regulations regarding the use of firearms by police and private security guards, prohibit possession of firearms in bars and clubs and establish stricter requirements as to who can carry a firearm.

“These controls and requirements are vital, taking into account the number of dangers and fatal risks to individuals, their families and to third party (victims) such as young people,” said Rodrigo Arias, minister of the presidency. “For that reason, this bill is key for the government and, in general, for a Costa Rican society that puts security as one of its priorities.”

The minister of the presidency indicated that the World Bank Institute named Costa Rica one of the 50 safest countries in the world. And while he is pleased with the recognition, Rodrigo Arias said it doesn't change the administration's drive to make Costa Rica even safer.

“…We will continue to work in defense of our citizens' security,” he said. The effort to “reform the Arms and Explosives Law is vital and we hope it will become a reality as soon as possible.”