Brazilian Senate discusses bill banning arms sales following school shooting in Rio de Janeiro

Brazilian Senate discusses bill banning arms sales following school shooting in Rio de Janeiro

2011-04-14 02:30:37 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRASILIA, BRAZIL (BNO NEWS) -- The Brazilian Senate on Wednesday began discussions over a proposed referendum on the sale of weapons and ammunition following the deadly shooting at a Rio de Janeiro school.

According to the state-run Agencia Brasil, the proposed legislation intends to ban the sale of firearms and ammunition in Brazil. A public referendum was also proposed in order to consult the population over a possible ban on the sale of weapons.

The bill was passed by the Committee on Constitution and Justice (CCJ) of the House and will put into vote in plenary. The legislation still be passed on the House of Representatives.

The legislation was promoted by Senate President Jose Sarney. In 2005, there was a similar referendum in the South American country but voting favored the continuity of firearms sales.

Some lawmakers called for an extensive debate before reaching any decision which could be based on emotion stemming from the school massacre. Senator Sandro Mabel proposed instead installing metal detectors in schools.

On Tuesday, Congressman Duarte Nogueira presented a project of law that proposes the implementation of chips in firearms that would carry information about the manufacturer and owner.

Last Thursday, a 23-year-old man opened fired at a school in the western Realengo area of Rio de Janeiro. Wellington Menezes de Oliveira, a former student of the school, shot without notice over 28 people, 12 fatally, before killing himself.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-04-14