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

Brazil's criminal groups are getting their hands on more powerful guns. A recent report shows that restricted, military-style weapons are increasingly being used by organized crime. Many of these guns are made in Brazil, but a significant number come from the United States. In November 2023, a shocking crime took place at Sao Paulo’s airport. Gunmen killed a cryptocurrency entrepreneur in broad daylight. Police found three semiautomatic rifles at the scene, including one made by Smith & Wesson. This rifle was bought in the U. S. 15 years ago and somehow ended up in Brazil. The report looked at nearly 7, 000 seized guns over five years. It found that seizures of restricted weapons increased by 11. 4%. This rise is partly due to looser gun laws under former President Jair Bolsonaro. His policies allowed civilians to own more types of guns, including some previously restricted to military and police use. The number of privately owned guns in Brazil nearly doubled from 2018 to 2022. Some of these guns ended up in the illegal market, often after being stolen from legal owners. The report suggests that weaker gun controls made it easier for criminals to get their hands on these weapons. In July 2023, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva tightened gun restrictions again. His decree reversed many of Bolsonaro's policies, making it harder for civilians to own certain types of guns. However, the damage may already be done, as many of these weapons are now in the hands of criminals. The U. S. plays a big role in this problem. While most seized guns are Brazilian-made, U. S. -origin weapons are the second most common. The report found that gun parts and components from the U. S. are often smuggled into Brazil and assembled locally. This makes it easier for criminals to get the weapons they need. The report argues that the U. S. should take responsibility for its role in fueling organized crime in Brazil. If the U. S. wants Brazil to take action against crime, it should also address its own weak gun laws. The report suggests that the U. S. is part of the problem and needs to be part of the solution.