Monday, July 24, 2023

Lula of Brazil Implements Stricter Gun Control, Counteracting Predecessor's Firearms-Friendly Approach


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On Friday, a decree was enacted by Luiz InĂ¡cio Lula da Silva, the President of Brazil, intensifying limitations on civilians' firearm access. This action was strategically aimed at overturning the firearm-friendly policies of Jair Bolsonaro, his conservative predecessor.

The decree mandates a reduction in the permissible count of firearms for personal security from four to two per civilian, with each gun's allowable ammunition scaled back from 200 rounds to 50. It necessitates proof of requirement documentation for firearm possession.

In addition, the decree forbids civilians from possessing 9 mm pistols, limiting their ownership solely to police and military personnel.

This new regulation affirms the Federal Police's role as the official overseer of firearms, pushing the military into a secondary position, which traditionally held that responsibility.

Back in May, the justice minister under Lula set a deadline for citizens to register their firearms legally with the Federal Police. This task was usually handled by the military, but under the new left-wing administration, there were reservations about the military's reliability, given their inclination towards Bolsonaro.

Lula affirmed, “Our continued efforts are towards a disarmed nation. The only ones that should be heavily armed are the Brazilian police and the federal armed forces."

Gun ranges, which had multiplied and operated relatively unhindered during Bolsonaro's tenure, now face new regulations. They can only function between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. and must be situated at least 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) away from educational institutions.

The new decree also alters the gun permit's validity period, reducing it from the ten-year period under Bolsonaro to a term of three to five years, contingent on the license holder.

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