Santo Domingo.– The increase in the number of legally registered firearms in the hands of civilians in the Dominican Republic has reignited the debate on the importance of strengthening security strategies in the business sector, where prevention based on technology and risk analysis is becoming increasingly relevant.
According to data contained in the PULSE May-June 2026 report, prepared by the Center for Security and Defense Studies (Cesede) of the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (Funglode), at the end of 2025 the country recorded 245,396 regulated firearms in the possession of civilians.
The study points out that handguns continue to be the most prevalent weapon within the national registry, with more than 150 thousand units registered. Likewise, this type of weaponry accounts for the highest number of reports related to losses or thefts, a situation that, according to experts, makes it necessary to review prevention schemes in both the public and private spheres.
Given this scenario, companies dedicated to security believe that organizations must strengthen their protection mechanisms through models that allow for anticipating risks before incidents occur.
The general manager of Grupo Eulen Dominican Republic, Eilin Díaz, maintained that modern security management must be oriented towards prevention and not solely towards response to emergency situations.
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“The available information allows for the design of more precise protection strategies adapted to the reality of each company, reducing vulnerabilities and strengthening the protection of assets,” he stated.
The report also highlights the progress made by authorities regarding the regulation and control of legal weaponry. However, it warns that the increase in civilian ownership and the differences recorded between different areas of the country represent new challenges for companies, especially those that handle high-value operations or large flows of people.
In that context, Díaz considered that many organizations are choosing to strengthen their security systems through specialized providers, avoiding reliance on schemes based solely on armed personnel.
The executive explained that the combination of trained personnel with technological tools, such as intelligent video surveillance systems, access controls, and permanent monitoring, allows for significantly reducing risks and improving response capacity to any eventuality.
In his view, the evolution of the security environment in the Dominican Republic shows that corporate protection has shifted from being a complementary service to becoming an essential component for ensuring the operational continuity of companies, protecting their employees, and complying with current legal standards.
The results of the Cesede-Funglode report reinforce the need for both the public and private sectors to continue promoting policies aimed at the control, traceability, and responsible use of firearms, while simultaneously fostering a culture of prevention based on intelligence, planning, and technology.
