Brazil’s Solution to Criminal Gun Violence? More Guns.

We hear it all the time now from those who misunderstand the real cause of violence (hint: it is not in the gun, itself).

“More guns lead to more gun violence.” A truism if applied to criminals. But a misleading and patently false statement when applied to those wishing to defend themselves against these lethal criminals.

Yes, more guns in the hands of criminals leads to them using these weapons to steal, kill, and destroy the lives of law abiding citizens. And it is even worse when the criminals know their prey (unsuspecting citizens going about their daily life) are unarmed and unable to protect themselves.

Does the rampant use of guns by violent Brazilian thugs cause the Brazilian people and officials to fear guns and call for greater gun control like many in the US do?

Amazingly, Brazil seems to be waking up to reality and common sense. The Wall Street Journal reported that like millions of fellow victims of gun crime in Brazil, “Claudio Sotero Júnior is clear about what he wants: his own gun.”

The WSJ article goes on to chronicle the very real and nearly deadly scenario of gunmen robbing and sexually assaulting his wife at a bus stop. Now, Claudio picks her up from work everyday, but the threat remains.

Over 3 million of the 12 million residents in Sao Paula report being held at gunpoint during their lives.

The problem started 15 years ago due to Brazil’s strict firearms legislation. Ironically, gun control laws created uncontrollable gun crime for what is now known as the world’s most murderous country with nearly 64,000 murders in 2017 alone.

But that is all about to change.

The new president-elect, Jair Bolsonaro, has vowed to enact legislation to reverse the radical gun-control laws, making it much easier for citizens to have firearms for self-defense going forward. “All the hoodlums already have guns, it’s only the good guys who don’t!” Bolsonaro stated in an interview.

As always, this is a very simple solution: keep weapons in the hands of law abiding citizens, just as the framers of the Constitution intended, and the criminals will not overrun society.

Jesus said “The poor you will always have with you” and I think the same can be said in regards to this discussion: “The violently evil you will always have with you.”

Remember what Jesus said: “But you should know this: If the owner of a house had known his house was about to be broken into, he would have stayed up all night, vigilantly. He would have kept watch, and he would have thwarted the thief.” (Matthew 24:43)

Therefore, be prepared. First, prepare your heart and life to be inline with the Master and His teachings. Secondly, do what you need to do to physically protect those you love and care for.