Chilean police destroy more than 9,000 firearms to reduce crime

Carabineros, the national police force of Chile, destroyed more than 9,000 firearms and accessories during the current year.

The agency conducted its fourth session of weapon destruction at the Depósito Central de Armas to permanently remove seized and voluntarily surrendered items from circulation. Colonel Paola Martínez reported a 33% increase in weapon destruction compared to the same period in 2025.

The police attribute this rise to increased field operations, inspections, and successful criminal investigations that recovered firearms from gangs and criminals. During the most recent session, officers rendered 1,497 firearms unusable. This total included 799 long guns, such as rifles and shotguns, and 698 short guns like pistols and revolvers. The police also destroyed 354 accessories, including telescopic sights and barrels, to ensure these items can no longer be used to fire projectiles.