The referendum to ban the private ownership of guns and ammunition was soundly defeated in Brazil in the referendum conducted today. Some of the results indicate a strong no vote in rural areas and some differences - albeit anecdotal - between rich and poor. Here are some of the relevant comments:
"This referendum ... is not going to end violence," said Assis Augusto Pires, 60, who voted against the ban in Sao Paulo's wealthy Jardim Paulistano district, where high walls, electrified fences and private guards protect residents.
In Rio de Janeiro's Rocinha shantytown, scene of a raging gangland turf war, Carlos Eduardo Ferreira, a 40-year-old electrician, said he was voting for the ban. "I am for the ban; I am for life. I've already seen kids hit by bullets here," he said.
Here are two comments that every Brazilian should find disturbing:
"We didn't lose because Brazilians like guns. We lost because people don't have confidence in the government or the police," said Denis Mizne of anti-violence group Sou da Paz.
[...]
In Jardim Panorama, a rough Sao Paulo shantytown, lots of people voted "no." If gun sales were banned, low-paid police might dabble in arms trafficking, said Joao Rodrigues Magalhaes, a 40-year-old machine operator.
Those last comments two really go to the heart of much of Brazil's problem with public safety: zero confidence in the police.
One compelling argument for the ban would be this type of shooting:
A discussion about the referendum ended in a shooting on Oct. 21 in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais state, Folha de S. Paulo said. Fagner Silva Torres, 23, was in a bar when he started discussing the referendum with William da Silva, 26, Folha said in yesterday's edition. At about 2 a.m., Torres, who is against the ban, drew his gun and shot Silva, who favors it, three times, Folha said, citing police Chief Rodrigo Salomao. Silva was taken to a hospital.
Torres told police who captured him that the shooting stemmed from a disagreement over the referendum, Folha said.
I have no data to verify this, but I have little doubt that this type of shooting is all too common in Brazil. Guns and alcohol: a deadly combination.
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