Brazilians reject proposal banning gun sales

[dws1117]

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory. ... ld/3410871

Oct. 24, 2005, 1:06AM



Brazilians reject proposal banning gun sales
Proponents had framed it as effort to curb increasing number of deaths by firearms
By PETER MUELLO
Associated Press

Reuters
A Brazilian man plays the guitar and sings in favor of legalized gun sales along Atlantica avenue on the Copacabana beach front in Rio de Janeiro.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Brazilians soundly rejected a proposal to ban the sale of guns in a national referendum Sunday, striking down the bid to stem one of the world's highest firearm murder rates following a campaign that drew parallels to the U.S. gun control debate.


Brazil has 100 million fewer citizens than the United States, but a staggering 25 percent more gun deaths at nearly 40,000 a year. While supporters argued that gun control was the best way to stanch the violence, opponents played on Brazilians' fears that the police can't protect them.

With more than 92 percent of the votes counted, 64 percent of Brazilians were opposed to the ban, while 36 percent backed it, said election officials.

The proposal would have prohibited the sale of firearms and ammunition except for police, the military, some security guards, gun collectors and sports shooters. It would complement a 2003 disarmament law that sharply restricts who can legally purchase firearms and carry guns in the street.

But the referendum backfired for proponents. Earlier this year, support for the ban was running as high as 80 percent. But in the weeks before the referendum, both sides were granted free time to present their cases on prime-time TV, and the pro-gun lobby began to grow.

Analysts said the pro-gun lobby benefited from equal time on television and that they cashed in on Brazilian skepticism of the police.

The combination of Brazil's high gun-death rate and the nature of the debate about the right to gun ownership has drawn parallels to the gun debate in the United States.

"The whole campaign (against the ban) was imported from the United States. They just translated a lot of material from the NRA," said Jessica Galeria, a Californian who researches gun violence with the Viva Rio think tank, referring to the National Rifle Association. "Now, a lot of Brazilians are insisting on their right to bear arms, they don't even have a pseudo right to bear arms. It's not in their constitution"

NRA public affairs director Andrew Arulanandam called the proposal's defeat "a victory for freedom"

"It's a stunning defeat for the global gun control movement. They poured millions of dollars and millions more man hours trying to enact this gun ban and they failed. The aim of this gun ban movement was to use Brazil as the rallying point to enact gun bans in the United States. We're happy they were defeated," he said.

[HighVelocity]

opponents played on Brazilians' fears that the police can't protect them

Well, it's true. The police can't protect them so truth wins over fear mongering. Good for the Brazilian people.

[stevie_d_64]

They make good firearms..."Taurus"

[Steve, we're sick and tired of hearing about the Taurus!!!]

[dws1117]

They make good firearms..."Taurus"

[Steve, we're sick and tired of hearing about the Taurus!!!]

Don't forget Springfield, or at least some of the frames. Mine is marked Imbel.

[jbirds1210]

I wish that someone in Brazil would try to ammend their rights while the topic is hot and people are supporting the gun rights of civilians! I am a long way from being an expert in international law, but maybe one of the gun rights advocates can do something about making it a right of citizenship. While this victory is important to celebrate it is just a matter of time before another group of lies are spread throughout the country in favor of a ban. Just my thoughts. I wish everyone a great day. :D