From January to June 2023, the Federal Police seized 3,259 illegal weapons in the country, a number greater than all seizures made in 2022, from 2,031. The balance sheet was presented by Minister of Justice Flávio Dino on Thursday (22/06). According to the minister, there was a myth that the restriction of weapons would cause an increase in crimes. However, there was a restriction on weapons and there was no increase in crimes and homicides. This is because the seized weapons were illegal weapons, from gangs and criminal organizations.
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In Opposition
On the other hand, the numbers of granting registrations and possession of firearms fell compared to last year. In this first semester, 46,363 registrations were granted, against 247,839 in 2022. Shipping, so far this year, was 6,620, against 15,013 from January to December 2022.
Weapon Policy Invalidated
On Thursday (29/06), Federal Supreme Court (STF) voted to invalidate part of the gun policy defended by the government of former President Jair Bolsonaro, which made the purchase of weapons in the country more flexible. Ministers concluded that the changes promoted by the Executive branch redefined public policy on firearms control without the approval of Congress. Therefore, they went beyond the regulatory power conferred on the President. The four disputed decrees have already been revoked, but the Court maintained the judgment to establish an understanding on the subject, which can be used as a guideline for possible future analysis of new norms involving the issue.
Operations Against Illegal Mining
The minister also highlighted the efforts made in operations against illegal mining. The Armed Forces have carried out operations, especially in the Yanomami indigenous land since the emergency decree in the region at the end of January. So far, 323 illegal mining camps have been dismantled and 151 illegal miners’ rafts have been destroyed. In 2022, there were 31 specific operations. Dino stated that, since the beginning of the emergency on Yanomami land, the total number of illegal miners operating in the area has reduced from around 15,000 to hundreds. Those who are still in the territory, according to the minister, have connections with criminal organizations. In addition to having identified a faction that operates in São Paulo’s prisons in the indigenous land, the Justice sees evidence of the action of international factions.
Next Steps
According to Dino, in the next few weeks the government should study the bill that proposes the regulation of trade and transport of gold. PL 3025/23, forwarded by the Lula government to the National Congress, eliminates the presumption of good faith in proving the origin of gold and makes it mandatory to issue an electronic invoice in purchase and sale operations of the metal, among other measures.
Our Analysis:
Currently, Brazil does not have a national policy for regulating weapons. What exists are presidential decrees undoing decisions that facilitated access to weapons for civilians executed by former president Jair Bolsonaro. The Lula government has already sent the proposal for a new regulation for weapons in the country to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, which should return to the model prior to that of the Jair Bolsonaro government, but with the centralization of control of weapons registrations by the Federal Police (PF) system, known as Sinarm. But with some new norms, such as new rules for opening shooting clubs, preventing shooting clubs near schools and banning 24-hour shooting clubs. The new measure should also provide for a ban on advertising for shooting clubs on the Internet.
Source: O Globo
