Flávio Bolsonaro Plans to Reinstate Father's Controversial Gun Policies Amid Election Runoff

Flávio Bolsonaro, who recently advanced to the second round of Brazil's presidential election with 47.03% of the valid votes, has announced intentions to revive the firearm policies enacted by his father, Jair Bolsonaro, if elected president. These policies, which significantly loosened gun control, have been linked by researchers to increased access to firearms by organized crime groups, fueling violence across the country.

According to a study by the Instituto Sou da Paz, the previous regulations expanded the circulation of 9 mm and military-grade weapons, contributing to heightened violence—including a concerning increase in firearm-related homicides among women. Federal audits uncovered severe lapses in verifying gun ownership, with some convicted individuals still retaining their permits.

Flávio's ally, Deputy Paulo Bilynskyj, has pledged to dismantle the gun control framework introduced by the Lula administration since 2023, which includes restrictions on firearm purchases and ownership. Proposed changes include revoking those measures and simplifying gun permit processes to resemble driver's license acquisition, contingent on background checks and testing. The return of 9 mm caliber firearms to permissible use is also part of these proposals.

These plans come amid ongoing political maneuvering for ministerial positions in a prospective Bolsonaro government, with influential groups including the centrão and the Faria Lima economic bloc lobbying for roles. Flávio’s camp envisions a technical administration with potential appointments such as Claudio Lottenberg for the Ministry of Health.

President Lula’s government has countered with tightened firearm regulations aiming to curb violence by limiting the number of guns an individual can hold and necessitating proof of genuine need.

As the electoral contest tightens, the debate over firearm policies in Brazil is intensifying, with public safety and crime prevention at the forefront of national discourse.