In the wake of measures to facilitate arms acquisition by President Jair Bolsonaro, the arms permits granted hit a record in 2019 and reached the highest number in decades.

Until November, the new records issued by the Federal Police for gun ownership increased by 48 percent, from 47,600 last year to 70,800 in the first 11 months of 2019. The number is the highest at least since 1997, the oldest data obtained by the report.

Last year's number was 47,600 and went up to 70,800 in the first 11 months of 2019 (Photo: Apu Gomes) - Folhapress

In October, there were 1,013,139 active weapons records in the country, only in the system maintained by the Federal Police. In this case, the permission is for possession of weapons, kept at home, and in commerce.

The new permits account does not include Army records for hunters, shooters, and collectors, also on the rise. In this case, the new weapons went from around 60,000 in 2018 to 65,000 in the first 11 months of this year, a variation of 8%.

According to the coordinator of the Sou da Paz Institute, Bruno Langeani, the weapons increase statistics for the so-called CACs (hunters, shooters, and collectors), added to the easing of the rules for them, are very worrying.

Translated by Kiratiana Freelon

Read the article in the original language