By Wendy Anders

A directive issued by the Costa Rican Security Ministry several months ago regulating the use of firearms by private security guards is being challenged in the country’s Constitutional Court, reported 93.5 FM Monumental Radio today.

The challenge has being filed by Libertarian Movement party legislator, José Alberto Alfaro.

Gustavo Mata, speaking with Monumental, explained that the initiative was developed together with an association of security guards through an analysis of data and a consideration of safety issues, and seeks to “benefit everybody.”

The directive requires private security companies who believe their employees need to carry firearms for their work provide a written explanation for this need. The statement will then be evaluated by a specialist or criminologist who will decide whether or not to grant the company a permit, explained Monumental Radio.

Companies involved with transporting cash, valuables, and merchandise, as well as those providing bodyguard services would be exempt from such controls.

Libertarian José Alberto Alfaro says that this type of decision should be made through a legislative decision-making process.

The legislator filed for an injunction against the measure, and also asked for it to be declared unconstitutional.

According to the Security Ministry, the whereabouts of an estimated 7,000 firearms that at one point were registered for use by a private security firm are unknown. These are the estimated number of arms belonging to security firms the Ministry is unable to locate, reported Monumental Radio.