Guns and Crime: How Loose Laws Fuel Brazil's Underworld

A recent report highlights a concerning trend: Brazil's criminal organizations are increasingly using restricted, military-style weapons.

The Source of the Weapons

• Made in Brazil and the U.S. Many of these guns are manufactured in Brazil, but a significant number originate from the United States.

A Shocking Incident

In November 2023, a cryptocurrency entrepreneur was killed at Sao Paulo’s airport.

• Weapons Found at the Scene:
• Three semiautomatic rifles
• One made by Smith & Wesson (bought in the U.S. 15 years ago)

The Report's Findings

• Data Analyzed: Nearly 7,000 seized guns over five years
• Key Statistic: Seizures of restricted weapons increased by 11.4%

The Role of Looser Gun Laws

• Under Former President Jair Bolsonaro:
• Gun laws were relaxed
• Civilians could own more types of guns, including those previously restricted to military and police use
• Result: The number of privately owned guns in Brazil nearly doubled from 2018 to 2022

The Current Administration's Response

• In July 2023, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva:
• Tightened gun restrictions
• Reversed many of Bolsonaro's policies
• Challenge: Many weapons are already in the hands of criminals

The U.S. Connection

• U.S.-Origin Weapons:
• Second most common seized guns in Brazil
• Gun parts and components smuggled into Brazil and assembled locally
• Call to Action: The report argues that the U.S. should take responsibility for its role in fueling organized crime in Brazil
• Suggestion: The U.S. should address its own weak gun laws to be part of the solution