How to get a gun permit in Brazil?

[Curator]

I am considering retiring in Brazil for financial and family reasons. Even the Sao Paulo police are unaware of how one legally owns forearms there. Apparently everything is illegal but the law is rarely enforced. When it is, a bribe usually fixes things unless it doesn't. Anyone here with real experience? Is it possible that one of the "states" is more gun-friendly than the others?

 

[mgkdrgn]

Ummm, if the police can't tell you how you can "legally" own one, could it be that you can't legally own one?

 

[novaDAK]

It's wikipedia but it does list citations for where the info came from. Hope it at least gives you a starting point.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics_in_Brazil

 

[SCKimberFan]

one legally owns forearms there

Since they are attached, I don't think it will be a problem.

 

[TCB in TN]

Company I used to work for wanted me to go down to Sao Paulo and spend 6 months helping to set up a new plant. Thought about it till I did some research and found out how many Business folks are kidnapped there each year. Talked a couple of guys down there who make real big money and who could afford to hire good local security. I wouldn't have made enough money for it do be worth the risk. (Company had a ransom policy, and a anti gun policy down there) Don't know what part of Brazil you are looking at but would be careful.

 

[Duke Junior]

This doesn't sound very promising.From a Brazilian Gun Club official:

http://www.afn.org/~afn18566/brazil.html

 

[dmxx9900]

If I was in Brazil I would get the guns on the black market since the penalty of getting caught and convicted is a teddy bear compared to here in the US.And it is much cheaper on the black market than on the legal market plus much faster and easier to get.

 

[Prince Yamato]

It's probably cheaper and less legal hassle to just start a drug cartel than it is to buy guns legally in Brazil.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

There are (or were) permits to own firearms, even handguns, in Brazil. My friend in Sao Paolo tells me, though, that things have gotten a lot more restrictive there in the last year.

The crime rate has also increased exponentially. Personally, as an American I wouldn't consider retiring there even for a nanosecond.

Consider Chile. Much lower crime rate, and it's a stable country with a stable economy.

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

There are (or were) permits to own firearms, even handguns, in Brazil. My friend in Sao Paolo tells me, though, that things have gotten a lot more restrictive there in the last year.

The crime rate has also increased exponentially. Personally, as an American I wouldn't consider retiring there even for a nanosecond.

Consider Chile. Much lower crime rate, and it's a stable country with a stable economy.

I hear ya. Plus, they speak Spanish in Chile, not that weird Brazilian Portuguese. And they have excellent, affordable wines.

 

[willbrink]

Is there a central place for finding out what the gun laws are for various South American countries? I was interested in Costa Rica myself.

 

[Zoogster]

I looked up the laws of Brazil awhile back. Citizens can get permits for firearms, but they are heavily restricted on types.

The law appears to be made with the intention of making thier body armored LEO/Military resistant to all legaly held firearms.
As a result all rifle cartridges are forbidden. Long arms must be chambered in handgun cartridges only.
The type of cartridges legal in a handgun are limited.

So even once you jump through all the legal hoops the selection of legal firearms is limited.

Essentialy the law in Brazil limits you to weak calibers in general, at least those generaly felt to pose no danger to body armorered thugs.
While at the same time most firearms used in the ongoing organized crime and government clashes are assault rifles and even light machine guns.
You can find video of some major gun battles within the last year or two on the streets of Brazil. Criminals wearing body armor, and performing kidnappings (for ransom) is also relatively common in some areas.

Handguns cannot be chambered in a caliber more powerful than .38 special. The only more powerful 'rifle' caliber allowed is the .44-40 ( it was exempted so it is a 'loophole'.) The .44-40 Winchester of course has the power of a handgun round itself, but it is the only legal centerfire 'rifle' caliber allowed for use in long arms.
Black powder weapons fall under the same restrictions.
Oh and semi automatic long guns are illegal.