The Court of Appeals of Puerto Rico recently ruled against Eliezer Martiz Figueroa, who sought to recover his gun license that was confiscated during a domestic violence investigation. This decision, issued on June 26, 2026, affects individuals in similar situations who may wish to reclaim their firearm licenses after legal issues. The ruling underscores the complexities surrounding gun ownership rights in Puerto Rico, particularly in cases involving domestic violence.
The case originated when the Puerto Rico Department of Justice filed five charges against Figueroa, including three counts under Article 3.1 and two counts under Article 3.5 of Law 54-1989, which addresses domestic violence prevention and intervention. Following a preliminary hearing on June 16, 2025, the lower court determined there was insufficient evidence to charge Figueroa with the alleged crimes. Despite this, Figueroa’s gun license remained confiscated, prompting him to file a motion for its return on April 1, 2026.
The lower court denied Figueroa's request, stating he needed to pursue the matter through the appropriate administrative channels. Unhappy with this decision, Figueroa appealed to the Court of Appeals, claiming the lower court erred in its ruling by not adhering to the stipulations of the 2020 Gun Law.
The Court of Appeals, led by Judge Cruz Hiraldo and joined by Judges Ronda del Toro and Sánchez Báez, reviewed the case. In their opinion, they stated, "Ninguno de estos criterios es determinante por sà solo para el ejercicio de jurisdicción y tampoco constituyen una lista exhaustiva," meaning that the criteria for intervention by an appellate court are not absolute and do not form an exhaustive list. Ultimately, the court ruled that there was no legal basis to grant Figueroa’s request.
The ruling emphasized that the appellate court must exercise caution and restraint when reviewing decisions made by lower courts. The judges noted, "El expediente electrónico no sugiere la ocurrencia de algún error o abuso de discreción judicial que justifique eludir la norma ordinaria de abstención judicial," indicating that the lower court did not act with prejudice or error in its judgment. As a result, the appellate court denied Figueroa's request for a certiorari, which is a type of judicial review.
This ruling has significant implications for individuals in Puerto Rico facing similar circumstances. It reinforces the notion that gun licenses can be affected by legal issues, particularly those involving domestic violence. The decision may deter individuals from seeking the return of their firearms without navigating the proper legal channels, which could lead to further complications in their cases.
Going forward, this ruling sets a precedent for how courts in Puerto Rico handle requests for the recovery of gun licenses after legal disputes. It highlights the importance of following established legal procedures and the potential challenges individuals may face when attempting to reclaim their rights. The ruling could also influence future cases involving firearm possession and domestic violence allegations.
As for what’s next, Figueroa may consider appealing the decision to a higher court. However, details regarding any potential appeal or related cases were not available in the court filing. The outcome of this case may prompt further discussions about gun rights and domestic violence laws in Puerto Rico.