Beretta Pistol Stolen in Rio at Largest Security Expo in Latam

By Lise Alves, Senior Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The largest defense and security trade fair in Latin America (LAAD), currently underway in Rio de Janeiro’s RioCentro Convention Center made headlines on Wednesday, but not because of the event itself: a 9mm pistol was stolen on Tuesday morning from the Beretta Defense Technologies stand, just before the fair’s official opening.

“The military authorities responsible for licensing firearms at LAAD have been informed and immediately attended the scene of the incident,” LAAD said in a statement.

According to LAAD Defense & Security Expo organizers, the thief was able to cut the wire securing the weapon from its stand without anyone noticing.

The theft occurred while acting President, General Hamilton Mourão, the governor of Rio de Janeiro, Wilson Witzel, and the mayor Rio de Janeiro city, Marcelo Crivella were visiting the expo.

According to LAAD officials, all weapons at the fair were rendered ‘non-functioning’, with essential shooting parts removed before being placed on display.

The stolen model costs about $400 euros. During the afternoon, Beretta Defense Technologies removed all their guns on display.

The expo comes to Rio at a time when both the federal and state governments are talking about improving security and easing firearms restrictions for Brazilians.

In January, newly elected President, Jair Bolsonaro signed a decree that will loosen the requirements for gun ownership in the country.

“The current government views defense expenditures as strategic,” Roberto Gallo, head of the Brazilian Defense and Security Industries Association told government news agency Agencia Brasil.

In addition, in December 2018, outgoing president, Michel Temer, sanctioned a law creating the National Public Security Fund (FNSP), expected to add another R$1.6 billion in spending from the federal, state and municipalities in the security sector this year alone.

According to FIPE (Economic Research Foundation Institute), the firearms industry generates 60,000 direct jobs and 240,000 indirect jobs in Brazil and moves approximately R$202 billion per year, which is four percent of the country’s GDP.

According to the Foundation’s data, six out of ten Brazilian reais spent on security or defense in Brazil are spent by the federal government (R$142 billion), and mainly by the Armed Forces.