Venezuelan President Signs Gun Bill

Those caught illegally carrying or selling a firearm face 20 years in prison

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro signed a gun control bill into law in a bid to rein in the country's runaway violent crime.

"I hereby sign into law this gun control law, for peace in our nation," Maduro said on Friday in an address in Vargas state.

The bill will allow sentences of up to 20 years in prison for any civilian convicted of illegally carrying or selling a firearm.
It also restricts the sale of ammunition to civilians, and bans weapons from being shown in public places.

"Any arm that is confiscated will be destroyed immediately … the sales of weapons and ammunition also ends," said National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello.