Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
5 min of reading 
0 comments 
New Legislation Authorizing Firearm Purchases by Rural Producers Could Transform Security in the Field, Changing Traditional Practices and Generating Intense Debates About the Real Impacts of This Change on Isolated Communities in Brazil.
A new bill that authorizes rural producers and residents to purchase firearms for personal defense is under advanced analysis in the Chamber of Deputies.
According to the favorable opinion of Deputy Delegate Paulo Bilynskyj, the rapporteur in the Public Security and Organized Crime Combat Commission, the PL 3853/2019 aims to ensure self-defense in rural areas, where quick access to police is limited.
The proposal had already been approved by the Agriculture, Livestock, Supply, and Rural Development Commission and is now undergoing analysis in the Public Security and Constitution, Justice, and Citizenship Commission (CCJ).
-
Friends have been building a small “town” for 30 years to grow old together, with compact houses, a common area, nature surrounding it, and a collective life project designed for friendship, coexistence, and simplicity.
-
This small town in Germany created its own currency 24 years ago, today it circulates millions per year, is accepted in over 300 stores, and the German government allowed all of this to happen under one condition.
-
Curitiba is shrinking and is expected to lose 97,000 residents by 2050, while inland cities in Paraná such as Sarandi, Araucária, and Toledo are experiencing accelerated growth that is changing the entire state’s map.
-
Tourists were poisoned on Everest in a million-dollar fraud scheme involving helicopters that diverted over $19 million and shocked international authorities.
The project, authored by former Senator Wilder Morais (PL-GO), modifies the Disarmament Statute (Law No. 10,826/2003) to allow those over 21 living in rural areas to acquire permitted firearms, provided they present proof of identity, rural residence, and a clean criminal record.
Right to Defense in Isolated Areas
According to Deputy Tião Medeiros (PP-PR), rapporteur in the Agriculture Commission, the initiative addresses a “legitimate outcry” from farming families who live hundreds of kilometers from police stations and are exposed to crimes and attacks from wild animals.
“The project contributes to security in the Brazilian rural environment, meeting the desire of those who inhabit the countryside,” said Medeiros.
An important change in the original text occurred with the approval of a suppressive amendment that removed the limit of one firearm per rural resident.
Now, producers will be able to acquire more than one firearm, as long as they meet the legal requirements.
It is essential to highlight that the project does not grant carrying permits, meaning that the firearms must be kept exclusively on the rural property and cannot be transported or used outside the premises.
This rule respects the current interpretation of the concept of “domicile” in the Disarmament Statute.
Political Context and Controversies
The approval of the opinion in the Agriculture Commission took place in December 2024, with a symbolic vote and a large majority in favor, but also with resistance.
Deputy João Daniel (PT-SE) voted against it, arguing that access to firearms could worsen violence in the countryside.
“The big solution does not involve firearms. When a criminal breaks into a house, the first thing they do is steal the gun. Violence will increase,” he warned.
This debate reflects the polarization regarding rural security in Brazil, a topic that has gained prominence in recent years due to the rise in conflicts in the countryside and the sense of insecurity among producers.
Security in the Field and Increase in Rural Violence
According to data from the Brazilian Public Security Forum, agrarian conflicts registered a 10% increase in 2024, with incidents of property invasions and physical violence.
Many of these occurrences happen in areas where police presence is limited, reinforcing the arguments of supporters of the project.
Furthermore, the survey indicates that the average police response time in rural areas exceeds 40 minutes, which contributes to the vulnerability of residents.
Requirements for Firearm Acquisition
To purchase firearms, the interested party must:
- Present an official identification document;
- Prove residency in a rural area;
- Provide a certificate of clean criminal record;
- Pass psychological and technical evaluations, according to current legislation.
These criteria aim to ensure that firearms are restricted to qualified and responsible individuals, minimizing risks.
Bill Progression
PL 3853/2019 is in a conclusive stage, which means it can be approved in committees without going to the plenary, unless there is a request for a plenary vote.
If confirmed in the CCJ, the project will move on to presidential sanction.
The rapporteur in the Public Security Commission, Deputy Delegate Paulo Bilynskyj, has already expressed a favorable position on the measure, reinforcing the perception that the text should advance.
Impacts on the Agricultural Sector
The support of the ruralist bench is a decisive factor for the swift progress of the proposal.
According to sector leaders, the measure represents a direct response to the needs of producers, who frequently face theft, invasions, and even attacks by animals on isolated properties.
Experts Warn of Risks
However, public security experts point out that an increase in the number of firearms could pose risks of accidents and escalation of conflicts if there is no strict oversight.
Additionally, the lack of adequate infrastructure for rural policing necessitates broader public policies beyond simply allowing firearms.
International Comparison
In countries like the United States, where the right to gun ownership is guaranteed by law, rural violence has varying levels, showing that access to firearms is not an isolated solution for security.
In Brazil, the debate also involves the culture of responsible ownership and the historical conflicts in the countryside, which requires a delicate balance.
How Does Gun Carrying Permit Change?
It is important to emphasize that the project does not change the rules for gun carrying permits, which remain prohibited for rural residents.
This means that firearms must stay on the property, without circulation outside the premises.
This limitation aims to prevent the improper use of firearms and respect national security norms.
Next Steps in the Chamber
The PL moves to the Constitution and Justice Commission, where it can be definitively approved unless there is a request for a vote in the plenary.
If that occurs, the text will be sent for presidential sanction, potentially coming into effect soon.
This new legislation could change the landscape of rural security in Brazil, addressing a population living under constant vulnerability.
But will the expansion of access to firearms actually reduce crime rates in the countryside, or could it generate negative consequences for rural communities?
What do you think about this authorization for rural producers to purchase firearms? Leave your comment!
Seja o primeiro a reagir!