The Army revised the ordinance that authorized members of the Military Police and Firefighters to access more restricted-use weapons, reducing the limit from five to two. In January, the Army issued an ordinance that allowed security agents to acquire up to five restricted weapons, including rifles, for personal use across the country. The ordinance was suspended days later. With the new rule, up to four firearms may be purchased, two for restricted use and two for permitted use. At the same time, the opposition tries to overturn Lula’s weapons decree.
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Main Changes in the Personal Collection of PMs and Firefighters
– Before the Bolsonaro government: Eight weapons, six for permitted use (two in each category) and two for restricted use;
– Bolsonaro Government: Eight weapons, six of which are permitted and two are restricted;
– Lula Government: Four weapons, up to two of which are for restricted use.
Military Police Organic Law
Furthermore, the Lula (PT) government had already signaled support for the approval of the project that establishes the Organic Law of the Military Police, one of the main demands of the group of Congressmen that legislate in support of the weapons industry, the so-called “Bancada da Bala”. Approved in October, the text opens space for the politicization of agents and could weaken the power of state public security departments. The law was sanctioned by Lula in December.
The Opposition Moves
The opposition to the Lula (PT) government in the Chamber of Deputies is trying to unlock the vote on a legislative decree project that aims to overturn the decree on weapons issued by Lula in the first year of his term. Lula’s decree restricted access to firearms.
Operation Friendly Fire
On Tuesday (21/05), the Federal Police carried out Operation Fogo Amigo, which targets a criminal organization made up of military police officers from Bahia and Pernambuco, sports shooters, and weapons and ammunition dealers. According to investigations, ammunition and weapons legally acquired were diverted to the First Capital Command (PCC) in Bahia, Pernambuco, and Alagoas, through a fraudulent scheme that involved the insertion of false information into official control and inspection systems.
Analysis:
Recent changes related to weapons and ammunition control in Brazil reflect a complex and dynamic context in the country’s public security. The Army’s review of the ordinance, which reduced access for members of the Military Police and Firefighters to restricted-use weapons, demonstrates an attempt to balance security with the need to prevent undue access to high-firepower weapons.
On the other hand, the approval of the Military Police Organic Law, supported by the Lula government, is seen as a response to the demands of the bullet bench, but it raises debates about the politicization of agents and possible impacts on the autonomy of state public security secretariats.
The opposition’s movement to overturn Lula’s weapons decree reflects a political clash around gun control policies, highlighting ideological and strategic differences on the topic.
