August 10, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Brazil would sanction a controversial plan that seeks to curb gun-related violence, according to a poll by Datafolha published in Folha de Sao Paulo. 80 per cent of respondents think the sale of weapons and ammunition should be prohibited in the South American country.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Brazil would sanction a controversial plan that seeks to curb gun-related violence, according to a poll by Datafolha published in Folha de Sao Paulo. 80 per cent of respondents think the sale of weapons and ammunition should be prohibited in the South American country.

Brazil once had one of the laxest gun control laws in the world, as unregistered owners usually paid low fines or simply had their weapons confiscated. With three per cent of the world's total population, Brazil accounted for eight per cent of all deaths caused by firearms in 2003.

In December 2003, Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva presented his proposal to change the country's gun legislation, which set specific limitations for ordinary citizens to legally buy, sell or own firearms and ammunition. Lula said a Brazilian person dies every 12 minutes because of gun-related violence.

A referendum on a new gun law has been scheduled for Oct. 23, 2005. The plebiscite's question reads: "Should the commerce of guns and ammunition be prohibited in the entire national territory?" The new rule would not affect law enforcement officers, security guards and registered hunters.

Voting is compulsory in Brazil.

Polling Data

Do you think the sale of weapons and ammunition should be prohibited in Brazil?

Yes	80%
No	17%
Not sure	3%

Source: Datafolha / Folha de Sao Paulo
Methodology: Interviews to 2,110 Brazilian adults, conducted on Jul. 22, 2005. Margin of error is 2 per cent.