Brazil removes 6,000 illegal weapons from streets

A Federal Police operation in Brazil has netted over 6,000 illegal weapons and led to at least 49 arrests since it was launched earlier this month. The operation was aimed at removing illegal weapons from gun-owners who do not meet the legal requirements to own firearms.

It is part of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s programme to reduce the number of guns in civilian hands, which nearly tripled during the previous administration of Jair Bolsonaro. On his first day in office, Lula issued a decree requiring gun owners to register their weapons with the Federal Police.The deadline ended on Wednesday.

Brazil’s Minister of Justice, Flavio Dino said that 6,168 weapons with restricted use were not registered and the owners will suffer the legal consequences.