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The bill authorizing rural producers to purchase weapons is now being analyzed by the Chamber of Deputies, sparking heated debates. The proposal, which makes the Disarmament Statute more flexible, is supported by those seeking greater security in the countryside, but criticized by those who fear greater violence. Will arming the rural population solve the problem?
The National Congress is moving forward with a project that promises to drastically change the dynamics of security in rural areas.
The initiative divides opinions between advocates of greater autonomy for the countryside and critics who fear the risks of an even more armed Brazil. Do you know what is really at stake with this measure?
What the project proposes and how it got here
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The Agriculture, Livestock, Supply and Rural Development Committee of the Chamber of Deputies recently approved a bill that allows rural producers to purchase firearms.
The proposal was authored by Senator Wilder Morais (PL-GO) and amends the Disarmament Statute, legislation in force since 2003.
The text will now be analyzed by other committees in the Chamber before a possible vote in the plenary.
If approved in full, the project will allow people over 21 years of age, living in rural areas, to acquire firearms for exclusive use on rural property.
The definition of “residence” includes not only buildings, but also all productive areas, such as plantations and livestock.
A significant change in the acquisition rules
Unlike the original Disarmament Statute, the new proposal removes the limitation on possession of only one weapon per person.
The rapporteur of the project in the Chamber, deputy Tião Medeiros (PP-PR), argues that this expansion meets the needs of producers who deal with safety challenges in the field.
“There is no doubt that the project contributes to security in rural Brazil, meeting the needs of those who live in the countryside,” said Medeiros, highlighting the importance of the measure in regions where policing is scarce.
Debates and disagreements: will security or violence increase?
The approval of the project, however, did not occur without resistance. Representative João Daniel (PT-SE) was the only one to vote against the opinion, arguing that the proliferation of weapons in the countryside could generate disastrous consequences.
“The solution is not through weapons. When a criminal invades a rural property, he already knows about the existence of the weapon and uses it against the producer’s own family. Strong, respected and intelligent public security is what really solves the problem,” criticized the parliamentarian.
The clash reflects a national debate that goes beyond the field: on one side, there are those who see weapons as a tool for self-defense; on the other, there are those who fear that they could increase rates of violence in already vulnerable communities.
The political and social impact on agriculture
The approval of the project symbolizes yet another victory for the ruralist bloc, which has been consolidating itself as one of the most influential in Congress.
For supporters of the measure, easier access to weapons is essential to protect rural workers from invasions, robberies and even attacks by wild animals.
According to Wilder Morais, the vulnerability of families living in isolated areas would justify the flexibility.
“Often, they have no one to turn to. We need to provide these people with the conditions to defend themselves,” argued the senator.
However, critics point out that expanding access to guns could create more problems than it solves.
“We cannot forget that Brazil already faces a serious problem with armed violence. This could lead to the normalization of a dangerous scenario,” warn public safety experts.
Next steps and expectations
The project will now be evaluated by other committees in the Chamber. If approved, it will still need to pass through the plenary before being sent for presidential sanction.
Meanwhile, the government base is trying to articulate changes to the text to avoid the proposed broad flexibility.
If consolidated, the measure will represent a historic change for rural Brazil. It places the country at the center of a global debate about the balance between the right to self-defense and the risks of increased circulation of firearms.
Safety or danger in the field?
With remote regions increasingly under threat, relaxing the Disarmament Statute seems like an attractive solution for many rural producers.
However, is arming the rural population the answer to Brazil's security challenges?
There is no policing in the countryside, the rural producer is on his own, the right to defend property and family is fundamental.
It really is an imminent risk! Only for v4g4bund0 who invades our property!!!
There have always been weapons in the countryside, there is no violence, now in the cities there are factions, think about it.