Bolsonaro loosens gun laws in Brazil
Decade-old referendum cited to justify changes in world murder capital
RIO DE JANEIRO— President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday signed a decree making it easier for many Brazilians to own firearms, the first of many expected changes by the nascent administration to overhaul gun laws in the nation that leads the world in total homicides.
Bolsonaro signed the decree in a ceremony in the capital of Brasilia, arguing that it and other changes expected to be pushed in Congress would help people defend themselves. The former army captain and farright leader, who won last year’s election on promises to crack down on crime, said Brazilians have long made clear that they wanted to arm themselves.
“The people decided in favour of buying guns and ammunition and we can’t deny what the people wanted at that moment,” Bolsonaro said, referring to a 2005 referendum in which Brazilians voted against banning the manufacturing and selling of guns.
Before the decree, the law stipulated that civilians who wanted to own a gun had to justify their interest. Bolsonaro and other proponents of relaxing legislation argued that such a requirement was arbitrary — such reviews happened with a federal police official — and meant that in practice many would-be owners were denied.
The decree also extended from five to 10 years the period to renew the registration of each firearm, and increased from two to four the number of guns each person can own.
In one area that could be interpreted as tightening the law, it required gun owners have a safe with a key in any home with children, adolescents or a person with a mental disability.
While the decree allows more people to buy weapons, it remains illegal for most civilians to carry them in public. Bolsonaro and the so-called “bullet caucus” in Congress plan a legislative push to overturn that.
For decades, Brazil has been the world leader in annual homicides. Last year, nearly 64,000 were killed, the majority by firearms.
Polls have shown most Brazilians want tighter restrictions on guns. A recent Datafolha poll found that 61 per cent believed firearms should be prohibited and posed a threat to others. The poll interviewed 2,077 people Dec. 18-19 and a had a margin of error of 2 per cent.