Editing Overview of gun laws by nation (section)

===Panama===

Obtaining firearms in Panama requires a Firearms Possession Certificate (FPC), which requires: criminal background check, drugs test, psychological test and firearms training.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Panama Firearm permit requirements (in Spanish)|url=http://appapanama.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Requisitos_para_tramites_armas_DIASP.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226224251/http://appapanama.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Requisitos_para_tramites_armas_DIASP.pdf |archive-date=2019-02-26 |url-status=live|website=Asociación Panameña de Propietarios de Armas (APPA)}}</ref> The minimum age to own a firearm is 18. The FPC allows the owner to move the firearms, unloaded and stowed, to and from a gun range. At least 6 hours of annual gun range practice is mandatory. There are no firearm caliber nor magazine capacity restrictions and all kinds of semiautomatic weapons are allowed for civilian ownership. Automatic weapons may only be owned by the state. Ammunition is restricted by type. Tracer, incendiary, armor-piercing and explosive ammunition is prohibited to civilians. An FPC is valid for 10 years.

Concealed carry of firearms is allowed through a Firearms Carry License (FCL). An FCL has the same requirements as an FPC, but carrier must be at least 21 years of age. Only handguns, such as pistols and revolvers, are permitted for concealed carry; however, up to two handguns may be carried loaded simultaneously. An FCL is valid for 4 years.

The Public Security Ministry handles all firearm matters. All legally owned firearms must be registered to their owners and appear on their permits. Direct or private handover of firearms is prohibited. A buyer must submit an application to the Security Ministry which, if approved, will deliver the updated permits and the firearms directly to the owner. No private owner may take out a firearm directly from a dealer. A shall-issue permit policy apply for all permits; the state must issue a permit if applicant meets all requirements. Firearm applications must be resolved in 30 business days or less.

Importation of firearms is only allowed to authorized local dealers. An individual may not privately import his/her own firearms while immigrating from another country. Firearms may temporarily be taken out of the country for sport events or repairs.

Firearms are regulated by Article 312 of the [[Constitution of Panama|Panamanian Constitution of 1972]] and the General Firearms, Ammunition and Related Materials Act (Law 57 of 2011).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unlirec.org/Documents/Centroamerica/Panama/LeyGeneralArmasMunicionesMaterialesRelacionadosLeyN57_2011.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919001541/http://www.unlirec.org/Documents/Centroamerica/Panama/LeyGeneralArmasMunicionesMaterialesRelacionadosLeyN57_2011.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-19 |url-status=live|title=Ley Nº 57 general de armas de fuego, municiones y materiales relacionados|language=es}}</ref>