Brazilian congressman from the Workers' Party (PT) proposes a disarmament policy for the Federal District.
Ricardo Vale, a district representative, filed a proposal in the Legislative Chamber restricting pro-gun advocacy for children and young people. It also toughens the law for CACs (Collectors, Shooters, and Hunters).
247 - District Deputy Ricardo Vale (PT) launched an offensive against the increase in firearms held by so-called CACs (Collectors, Sports Shooters, and Hunters) in the Federal District. The parliamentarian filed a bill on Wednesday (May 3rd) with a series of measures to discourage the acquisition and circulation of weapons. The text proposes actions to restrict advertising of weapons, limitations on commercialization, and repressive measures against the improper circulation of these devices.
The proposal, called the Policy for a Culture of Peace and Disarmament of the Population of the Federal District, aims to reduce the number of weapons in circulation and their negative uses, such as violent crimes, femicides, attacks, and accidents, which coincidentally increased during the period of easier access to weapons, promoted between 2017 and 2022. Data from the Brazilian Yearbook of Public Security (2022) indicate that the Federal District, along with Goiás, Tocantins, and the Triângulo Mineiro region, has recorded five times more registrations of these weapons since 2018, while the national growth was only three times.
Among the so-called counter-incentive mechanisms, the congressman wants to prohibit children and adolescents from entering shooting clubs and similar establishments. Furthermore, the bill prohibits the advertising of these weapons in public places. Stores that sell weapons must display warnings about the risks of the equipment and cannot display the products in shop windows that can be seen by minors; the display must occur in reserved spaces. The bill also provides for fines and sanctions in case of non-compliance.
According to Ricardo Vale, it is urgently necessary to review the issue of weapons in the federal capital. “Weapons should be in the hands of qualified agents; enough of this encouragement of the fiction that it's for protection. That's not the objective of the CAC (Collector, Shooter, and Hunter) regulations, and in real life, it's much easier for weapons to end up in the hands of criminals or become the object of a tragedy. We're going to put an end to this farce. Front clubs and obscure objectives for the sale of weapons will not have an easy life in the Federal District,” he promised.
Increased supervision
Another important measure of the project is the tightening of regulations regarding the carrying of weapons by CACs (Collectors, Shooters, and Hunters). According to the Disarmament Statute, travel to clubs is permitted. However, since there is no requirement to prove the destination, in practice, it is possible to carry a weapon in any situation and simply claim that the route includes spaces accredited for sports practice.
The measure follows the same line as the current federal government, which revoked previous decrees facilitating the acquisition of weapons. The objective is to counter the pro-gun culture disseminated in the federal capital. In January of this year, data from the Federal Police revealed a 79,4% increase in firearm registrations. In the Federal District, the number of police incidents involving CACs (Collectors, Shooters, and Hunters) grew by 754% in 2022. Among the records, there are cases classified as domestic violence (Maria da Penha Law) and threats.