Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANAGUA410
2006-02-21 23:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Managua
Cable title:  

BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON

Tags:  ETTC KOMC NU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMU #0410 0522345
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 212345Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANAGUA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5345
UNCLAS MANAGUA 000410 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC NU
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON
APPLICATION 05-985232

REF: STATE 10444

UNCLAS MANAGUA 000410

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KOMC NU
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON
APPLICATION 05-985232

REF: STATE 10444


1. ECONOFF has performed the requested pre-license check on
application 05-985232. Giovanny's Gun Shop in Masaya,
Nicaragua appears to be a thriving business selling weapons
for legal, personal use. The Nicaraguan National Police
(NNP) confirmed that the gun shop is owned by Giovanny
Francisco Solis, and is registered and approved by the
Government of Nicaragua as a weapons and ammunition vendor.
NNP and USG interagency name checks on the proprietor did not
reveal any derogatory information. Giovanny's Gun Shop has
been in operation since July 2004. During a site visit to
the gun shop, ECONOFF verified that the business sells
personal weapons and ammunition for hunting, shooting, and
home protection as well as supplies for outdoors enthusiasts.
The shop is located on a busy commercial street and is open
to the public. An armed guard is posted at the entry way and
the weapons and ammunition are well secured. This is the
business' first attempt to import weapons from the U.S. The
shop previously imported guns from the Austrian weapons
manufacturer GLOCK. The shop does not sell used weapons.


2. Sales records show that the shop sells weapons almost
exclusively to individuals and these sales are for only one
weapon. One sale of multiple rifles was made to the retailer
PRICESMART. The request to import 270 rifles and shotguns is
consistent with current sales levels for Giovanny's Gun Shop.
The business sold 19 weapons in January of this year, which
is slightly higher than average monthly sales for 2005. The
business primarily serves people living in the cities of
Masaya and Granada, as well as Department of Rivas. The
owner's intention is to increase sales by expanding his
product line to include U.S.-manufactured weapons.


3. Giovanny's Gun Shop showed evidence of complying with
Nicaragua's stringent gun control laws. A poster outlining
the law's provisions is displayed prominently in the shop.
Purchasers must verify their identity with a properly issued
government ID card. Complete biographic and address details
of purchasers are recorded, maintained at the shop and
submitted to the NNP. The owner demonstrated that he is
familiar and in compliance with regulations on United States
Munition List (USML) items, including on re-exporting. The
gun shop does not yet have an importation license from the
Government of Nicaragua because the owner is awaiting
notification of approval for export from the United States.


4. Comment: The owners were very forthcoming in answering all
questions and cooperative in providing all requested records
to ECONOFF even though the site visit was not announced in
advance. In post's assessment, this company is a reliable
recipient of the USML items listed in REFTEL.
TRIVELLI