Brazilian Minister of Justice: new decree will not withdraw weapons from those who have already bought them

This Sunday (1st), in his first act as President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a series of provisional measures (MPs), decrees and dispatches at the Planalto Palace. One of the revoked decrees was the one that expands access to firearms.

Lula da Silva signed a decree that reduces access to weapons and ammunition and suspends the registration of new weapons for restricted use by Hunters, Shooters and Collectors (CACs). It also suspends authorizations for new shooting clubs until new regulations are issued.

According to Justice Minister Flávio Dino, Lula da Silva’s decree initiates a transition between Bolsonaro’s gun policy and the new policy.

“We made rules that are transitional between the old regime of general liberalization and a new regime of responsible gun control. Immediately there will be no [effects] on those who have already purchased [firearms], except with regard to the ban on purchasing ammunition for restricted-use weapons,” said Dino at the Planalto Palace.

Also according to the minister, the exception will be for those who answer for inquiry or criminal action for intentional crime.

“The first challenge [of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security], without a doubt, is the implementation of this decree”, said Dino.

The government is setting up a working group that should work for 60 days to study, for example, changes in the classification of permitted and restricted use weapons.

With information from Gazeta Brasil

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